


* !?*• 






" 3t 

9 Si * 



THE 



PRINCIPLES OF PEACE, 



EXEMPLIFIED IN THE CONDUCT 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS 

/ 

IN IRELAND, 

During the Rebellion in the Year 1798 ; 

WITH PRELIMINARY AND CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS, 



BY THOMAS HANCOCK, M. D. 

us 

FROM THE LONDON SECOND REVISED AND EN- 
LARGED EDITION. 



Printed for the Trustees of Ohadiah Broicn's Benevolent 
Fund. 



Sprobftrence : 

II. H. BROWN PRINTER. 

"Tate"."" 



.Ms 






ADVERTISEMENT 

TO THE 

SECOND EDITION, 



Siince the publication of this little 
work, the author has been favored with 
a few hints and corrections, of which 
he has availed himself, in revising it a 
second time for the press. By the 
kindness of his friends, he has been fur- 
nished with several additional facts; 
and particularly with the interesting 
document from Ballitore, which was 
only recently discovered amongst the 
writer's papers. 

He has been desirous, as far as truth 
would allow, to conceal every thing 
which might have a tendency to open 
afresh wounds that may have been 



A Advertisement to the 

nearly healed : he has, therefore, omit- 
ted some circumstances of peculiar 
atrocity, which, from whatever causes 
they might have sprung, were calculat- 
ed to excite a feeling of indignation in 
the breast of almost every reader, 
against inhumanity and cruelty. The 
nature of the facts, however, must ren- 
der it a difficult task to accomplish 
entirely the latter object; yet he is 
willing to hope that the perusal of the 
volume will in no instance have a 
tendency to produce animosity be- 
tween any man and his neighbor. As 
to the irreconcilable difference which 
must always subsist between those 
whose minds are turned to goodness 
and humanity, and those who are prone 
to evil and works of cruelty, the author 
cannot be accountable for the opposite 
feelings such might experience, if any 
of the latter should be induced to read 
the facts recorded against the spirit of 
violence and contention. 



Second Edition. r 

In submitting the work again to the 
public, the author can scarcely feel 
easy to omit noticing one or two ob- 
servations that have been made, he 
regrets to say, by some valued friends, 
against the publication. 

In the first place, it has been object- 
ed, that the book was calculated to 
revive unpleasant recollections, and to 
promote variance instead of peace and 
harmony; in the second, that the im- 
mediate object seemed to be to set 
forth the praise of the Society of 
Friends, and to make a boast of their 
preservation ; and in the third place, 
it has been surmised, whether in the 
shape of threatenings from others, or 
of fearful forebodings from some of 
themselves, that if similar calamities 
should again be permitted to fall upon 
the country, the members of the Soci- 
ety, notwithstanding their late deliv- 
erance, would experience very differ- 
ent treatment. 



x 



VI 



Advertisement to the 



With regard to the first objection, 
so long a period has elapsed, that a new 
generation has nearly sprung up since 
the events which are recorded too* 
place : consequently, there must be 
few, if any cases, in which personal 
animosity could be excited by a perusal 
of the narrative. 

Secondly, such an object as that of 
making a boast of the preservation 
experienced by the Society, has been 
expressly disclaimed ; and it might be 
taken for granted that the omission of 
names would in itself be a sufficient 
indication that such praise was not 
intended. For, as these things were 
not done in a corner, and praise is due 
to none but the great and good Shep- 
herd, examples of a preservation, which 
he vouchsafed to those who endeavor- 
ed to act in conformity with the peace- 
able principles of the Savior of mankind, 
are not to be considered as of individ- 
ual concern, belonging only to a par- 



Second Edition. vii 

ticular society, but as facts in which 
the whole Christian church is emi- 
nently interested. 

Thirdly, it must be obvious, that, if 
future calamities should occur, pro- 
vided the members of this, or any 
other Christian Society, place their 
dependence, in living faith, upon the 
only right source of Help, they can 
have no more cause to fear, than in 
former troubles. If they are upon the 
true foundation, and the Lord's al- 
mighty power had any thing to do with 
their preservation in the last rebellion, 
(which no man can reasonably doubt) 
supposing that even greater trials 
should occur, His arm will not be short- 
ened that it cannot save them in their 
extremity. Let us even admit that 
their enemies may threaten more than 
they did formerly : Is there not the 
same Power to check their evil de- 
signs ? While the upright and peacea- 
ble members of the Society cherish the 



v 



viii Second Edition. 

feelings of good-will towards their 
neighbors of every denomination, they 
may be assured that they will be re- 
spected, and their example will be use- 
ful to those about them. But, on the 
contrary, if they cultivate a different 
spirit, and unite themselves with any 
party ; or if they encourage presumptu- 
ous confidence, or let into their minds 
unchristian fears, they must expect to 
reap the corresponding fruits. Their 
duties, in such an awful crisis — if it 
should occur — must consist in gentle- 
ness and patience, and impartial be- 
nevolence, and Christian fortitude, and 
meek reliance on Divine Help. With 
virtues like these, if any should hap- 
pen to fall a sacrifice, who could be- 
lieve that they would lose their reward 
in the realms of immortal blessedness? 



PREFACE. 



The documents from which this brief narrative 
is compiled, have, most of them, been some 
years in the author's possession. They have 
been obtained from those who were concerned 
either as actors or eye-witnesses, in the scenes 
which are depicted. They contain the names of 
such individuals as are alluded to in the narra- 
tive ; but being designed simply to show in 
what manner, a number of persons, who followed 
the principles of Peace, regulated their conduct 
in a time of civil warfare, and through Divine 
mercy, experienced preservation ; and not hav- 
ing been collected to set forth the praise, either 
of any individuals or of any society ; the names 
of the actors can be of little moment. Yet, it 
must be acknowledged, that names give an ap- 
pearance of authenticity which a record of 
transactions without them seems scarcely to pos- 
sess. The author is not aware, therefore, that 
a subject like the present, may lose part of its 
interest by the omission, and yet, he is placed un- 
der the necessity of generally withholding them, 



x Preface. 

Though some, among the individuals notic- 
ed, are now in the silent grave, yet the nature 
of the scenes, in which they were engaged, re- 
quires that regard should be paid to the surviv- 
ing friends and immediate descendants. Asso- 
ciated, as were those scenes, with the heart-bur- 
nings of civil war, it is possible, that even at this 
distance of time, the narrative might recal some 
feelings, in societies and neighborhoods, which, 
for the sake of harmony and good fellowship, 
ought to be consigned to oblivion. 

If this reason be entitled to consideration, in 
so far as it relates to the descendants of those 
whose acts are recorded ; the surviving individu- 
als, to whom allusion is made, have much stron- 
ger motives to urge the concealment they have 
requested. 

Under disadvantages which thus attach to the 
publication, the author cannot do less than as- 
sure his reader of his undoubted belief in the 
truth of the incidents that are recorded ; being 
personally acquainted not only with some of the 
individuals, but of the writers concerned, and 
knowing that they are entitled to the fullest credit. 

As the heads of the Chapters will show that 
some little arrangement is attempted, it will read- 
ily occur to the reader that the order of time 
could not be strictly observed ; and he will 
therefore find that a few events are narrated, for 
the purpose of classification, after others, which, 
in fact, they preceded. 



Preface. xi 

Another observation seems to be necessary, 
— that, as the names of no members of the Soci- 
ety are mentioned,* it might perhaps strike the 
reader, that the same individuals were concern- 
ed in different incidents ; so that the number of 
actors might be made to appear greater than 
it really was. With the exception of the ca- 
ses of two or three individuals, to whom reference 
is distinctly made, and particularly of that of the 
Friend in Ferns, the incidents relate to different 
persons. 

The author has further to remark, that he 
wishes to be considered alone responsible for any 
opinions contained in this volume; neither the 
Peace Society, nor the Society of Friends, hav- 
ing been officially consulted for the purpose of 
obtaining their sanction to the sentiments. 

It may be stated, in addition, that if this narra- 
tive should fall into the hands of any one, who 
may be able to supply a single correction, or to 
afford, either new incidents or further informa- 
tion respecting any events, of the description it 
is the object of this manual to select, which are 
now partially detailed ; the author will consider 
himself greatly obliged for any hint on the sub- 
ject , as every well-authenticated fact, however 
trifling it may seem, may possess a degree of 
importance, when viewed in relation to the 
principle. 

* With the exception relative to Ballitore, 



xii Preface. 

As the time will undoubtedly come — and no 
one can say how soon it may arrive — when the 
Christian principles of Peace will be more gen- 
erally received and acted upon in the world than 
they are at present ; every contribution, howev- 
er small, pointing out the way in which the fol- 
lowers of Peace have endeavored to obey their 
Lord and Master's literal injunctions on this 
fundamental point, and commemorating the 
blessed effects of their obedience, may have 
some little weight in the ballance, to determine 
the minds of hesitating Christians on the side of 
Peace. 

And thus, although the store may happen to 
be slowly collected, and the light to be very 
gradually diffused ; an accumulation of facts and 
testimonies from different parts of the world, and 
a concentration of light from the increasing con- 
victions of Truth in different minds, employed in 
examining this important question, may at last be 
expected to work such a change of public senti- 
ments in favor of Peace, as shall establish the 
principle incontrovertibly, That Christianity is 
altogether a religion of Peace — a system of love 
and good-will to man \ — whether viewed, in the 
mode of its introduction, or, of its propagation, 
or, in its principles, or, in relation to the prophe- 
sies respecting it. 

It was announced in the angelic song of 
Peace. It was founded by the Prince of Peace. 



■*^ 



Preface. xiii 

It depended so entirely on his own peaceable ar- 
mour — the meekness and lamb-hke disposition of 
its ambassadors — to overcome its enemies, that 
it was propagated in direct defiance of the 
sword. It had so little dependance on the sword 
to aid its progress, that it has never made a sig- 
nal conquest over the minds of men, whenits 
professed followers have used the sword in its 
sacred name. It inculcates those dispositions in 
heart and mind which can have no possible affin- 
ity with the pride of martial glory, nor concord 
with the turbulence of military achievements. 
Peace was the legacy bequeathed to his disciples 
by the great Head of the Church. Upon the 
Peace-makers he pronounced his blessing. Peace 
was predicted to be the sign and supreme excel- 
lency of the Messiah's kingdom, in the latter 
days on the earth: and the believer in Scripture 
must be assured that a time will come when there 
will be Permanent and universal peace. — 
All these things demonstrate that a pure Christ- 
ianity is identified with a state of peace: and, 
surely, we have evidence enough from past his- 
tory to convince the most doubting in the pres- 
ent day, of the great preponderance, in the scale 
of national glory, of Peace over War ; and to 
prove its loveliness, its security, and its trancen- 
dent excellency. 






TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
CHAPTER I. 

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS ON THE PRACTICAL 
INFLUENCE OF PEACEABLE DISPOSITIONS, 

Page 19 

Plea of Self-defence, 26 

Plea of Justice, 35 

Plea of Necessity, 41 

CHAPTER II. 
State of the society of friends previous 
to, and during, the rebellion, 60 
Neutrality difficult during Rebellion, 61 
Friends critically circumstanced, 63 
Precaution taken in destroying their arms, 64 
An example in the conduct of a Friend, 66 
The precaution considered to be salutary, 68 
Anecdote and consistency of a Friend, 70 
He intercedes for a poor family with the com- 
mander, 72 
He refuses to sell ropes to the military for the 

purpose of hanging the disaffected, 73 

Insurrection begun, 74 
The Insurgents enter Ferns and treat him 

kindly, 77 

He opens his house to the distressed, 79 
Ingratitude of a Farmer towards another 

Friend, ib. 
Fortitude of both these Friends when they 

were threatened with death for harboring 

the distressed Fugitives, 81 

The former in imminent danger, 83 

He certifies on behalf of his neighbors, ib. 

Soldier's confidence in a Friend^ 84 



xvi Contents. 

CHAPTER III. 

Of the dangers to which the society was 
exposed in the attendance of their meet- 
INGS, 86 
Friends attend their meetings during the com- 
motions, 87 
Some are threatened with death in consequence, 88 
Two families are particularly tried, 91 
Many others threatened and wonderfully pre- 
served, 92 
The conduct of their enemies changed, ib. 
Friends of other meetings menaced, 93 
Evil designs prevented in other meetings also, 94 

CHAPTER IV. 

On the trials to which friends were ex- 
posed FOR REFUSING TO CONFORM TO THE 
CEREMONIES OF THE CHURCH OF ROME, 96 

A Friend made prisoner, 97 

They seek to convert, and threaten with death, 

an ancient Friend, 98 

His preservation, 99 

A kinsman of his also threatened, 100 
Hesitation of the Rebels and abandonment of 

their bloody design, 101 

Instance of preservation, 102 
Confession of a servant girl to her mistress, 104 

Friends' danger from their servants, 105 

Treachery of a servant, 106 

Day fixed for a general massacre, 107 

Insurgents defeated, ib. 



Contents. xvii 

CHAPTER V. 

Testimonies of friends from different parts, 
including a narrative of events at balli- 
tore, and a few particulars of the bat- 
tles of ross and antrim, 10s 
Narrative of events at Ballitore, 109 
Testimony of a Friend near Moate, 131 
Testimony from Ross, 132 
Battle of Ross, 133 
Friends preserved, . 134 
Battle of Antrim, 135 
A Friend's family there in danger, 133 
The house entered by soldiers, 139 
The family protected, 140 
Their house saved from burning, * 142 
Remarkable prayer, 143 
The Moravians at Gracehill, 144 
Moravians preserved, 145 
Peculiar trial of a Friend, 143 
His interview with a General, 148 
Condescension of the General, ib. 

CHAPTER VI. 

Of THE GENERAL PRESERVATION OF THE SOCI- 
ETY DURING THE REBELLION, 149 

r reservation of the Society, ib. 

The case of a young man excepted, 150 

Peculiar circumstances of his death, 151 

Reflections on the event, 153 

Facts of another description, 154 
Affecting narrative relating to two brothers, 

John and Samuel Jones, 155 

Taken to Scullabogue, 156 
c2 



xviii Contents. 

Instance of Samuel's patience, 158 
Taken out to be shot, 159 
Samuels fortitude, 160 
Reflections on the practical effects of peacea- 
ble principles and conduct, 161 
Illustrations taken from the conduct of Ame- 
rican Indians towards Friends, 163 
Unarmed Friends were preserved, while some 

who were armed suffered, 165 

Affecting anecdote of a female Friend, 166 

Her daughter's trust in Providence, . ib. 

State of Friends in 1688 compared, 168 

Friends then preserved, 170 

Instances recorded, 173 

Assisted by their absent Friends, 175 
Testimony from Ramond's Travels in the 

Pyrenees, ib. 

CHAPTER VII. 
On the brotherly care of the society to- 
wards ITS SUFFERING MEMBERS, 177 

The Yearly Meeting in Dublin appoints a 
committee to relieve its suffering mem- 
bers, IIS 

Assistance is offered by Friends in England 

and America, 180 

The offer is gratefully acknowledged, but not 

accepted, 18f 

Reflections on this care and sympathy, 182 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Concluding Observations, 185 

Sentiments of the Heathen, 207 

Practice of the early Christians, 211 



CHAPTER %. 

Tf&LIAUNARY OBSERVATIONS ON THE PRACTICAL 
INFLUENCE OF PEACEABLE DISPOSITIONS. 

There are two different lights in which we 
may habitually regard our fellow-creatures, in- 
dependently of the consideration whether they 
may be actuated by good or evii intentions^ to- 
wards us. We may regard them with feelings 
of good will and affection, or of distrust and 
suspicion, either as we are disposed to take a 
favorable or unfavorable view of human nature. 
According as we are influenced by one or other 
of these dispositions, we shall be led to attract 
our fello\^nan towards us, or to repel him from 
us; to Iook upon an erring brother with a de- 
gree of pity, and in a forgiving spirit, even when 
he harbors the^most unjust feelings respecting 
us, or to place ourselves in a hostile attitude 
against him, even for the slightest supposed of- 
fence. It is obvious that as, by our own con- 
duct, we excite the good or evir propensities of 



20 Preliminary Observation?. 

ethers, so vve must expect to make ourselves li- 
able to their effects. For if we display those 
dispositions which lead to wrath and envy, we 
must, look, in the course of things, for the mani- 
festation of similar feelings, at least from the 
rude and undisciplined, who are not better in- 
formed. It is in the nature of love, as it is of 
cruelty, to propagate its kind; and, by our ex- 
ample, as well as by the immediate effect of our 
conduct, we make others peaceable or vindic- 
tive: these are natural consequences. 

According, therefore, as we cultivate in our- 
selves the benevolent or malevolent affections 
towards others, and excite corresponding feel- 
ings in them, we may be assured, that such will 
be the state of society in our immediate vicini- 
ty; — and, if we reason from the less to the great- 
er — from our own circle to the widest sphere of 
our influence — such will be our friendly or un- 
friendly relation to mankind universally, and con- 
sequently our influence in promoting the happi- 
ness or misery of the world. 

Now, though it must be acknowledged, that 
the principles above stated are enforced in the 
clearest and strongest manner in the precepts 
of Christianity, and, moreover, fhat it is neces- 
sary the mind should be deeply imbued with 
the spirit of Christian love, before it can bring 
forth in perfection, the fruits of peace and good 
will; yet, before the Gospel was ushered into 



Preliminary Observations. 21 

the world, the human mind had a glimpse of 
the excellence and utility of these principles. — 
For Heathen Philosophy has told us what ought 
to be the rule of human conduct in such cases, 
that is, the practice of a wise and virtuous man, 
when under opprobrium and wrong. It has 
told us that, by mildness, anger may be appeas- 
ed, even as " a soft answer turns away wrath/' 
and that, by forbearance, animosity may be ex- 
tinguished. Pythagoras, Epictetus, Plutarch, 
Seneca, and others, teach us many such lessons. 
But, it was reserved for a light, clearer than 
that of either Greece or Rome, to point out a 
surer road to Peace than any of their wisest 
sages seem to have been capable of imagining. 
ThaJ; light was the Gospel : That path was 
meekness, forgiveness of injuries, and forbear- 
ance : These duties were inculcated in the pre- 
cept — To love our enemies ; and to do good 
unto all men. 

The Heathen, indeed, saw something of the 
excellence x>f this principle; but did not so far 
anticipate^^hristianity as to trust their lives 
and fortunes Mto its government. Their gods 
were implored jln danger *, but idolatry vitiated 
their sacrifices. They knew nothing of what 
it was " to stand still and see the salvation of 
God." 

The Jews advanced a step further : When 
the cause was not their own ; and their motive 



22 Preliminary Observations. 

was not ambition ; or, when danger was at 
hand, and they meekly petitioned for divine 
aid ; their enemies were scattered like " chaff 
before the wind," and they found that "one could 
chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to 
flight." But the Jews were not practically in- 
structed, and perhaps the spirit of the times did 
not permit them to be so, in the heart-softening 
lessons of Christian charity, by meekness to dis- 
arm revenge. They do not appear to have con- 
sidered that one act of retaliation only prepared 
the way for another. 

The example of Christ and his apostles — 
the history of Christianity itself, afford a prac- 
tical proof of the pacific efficacy of the Gospel, 
and of the universal love it breathes to th^ hu- 
man family. 

Thus, a gradual illumination may be said to 
have beamed upon the world : — The light of 
Nature and of Reason ; — The outward and 
typical institutions of Moses ', — The inward and 
spiritual dispensation of Jesus ChrisL 

The law that resulted from trw& first was 
vague and uncertain : Socrates and Cicero had 
no claims to the legislative or iprophetic char- 
acter. 

The Mosaic code was of a decided, though ri- 
gid cast, partial however, and adapted to the 
stubborn necks of a rebellious people. The 
Gospel was of universal love and as univer- 



Preliminary Observations. 23 

sal application ; intelligible to all, and unlimited 
in its range. 

The first shone upon the human intellect, as 
through a mist ; and the learned only could per- 
ceive the signs of divine wisdom in the Law of 
Nature. The second struck upon the outward 
senses of a peculiar people ; with signs, indeed, 
of awe and terror, and with miraculous display 
of power ; in its types and ordinances shadowing 
out the substantial, and spiritual dispensation, 
which should succeed. 

The last was emitted from the Sun of Right- 
eousness himself, directly to the heart, with 
manifestations of divine love to the human fami- 
ly transcendantly glorious. This last dispen- 
sation has in itself, therefore, the means of 
accomplishing that for which it was designed 
— Peace on Earth : and, do we still wait for 
something more perfect than w T e have yet re- 
ceived ? " Art thou he that should come, or look 
we for another ?" 

Now whatever virtue it is incumbent upon 
a good man to be always practising, that ought 
to be the governing principle of every human 
society, from the contracted circles of families 
and neighborhoods, to the enlarged sphere of 
countries and kingdoms. For, all mankind is 
of one blood : and there is not one code for in- 
divduals and another code for associations ei- 
the of few or many. In respect to moral laws 



24 Preliminary Observations* 

there is not one code for the prince and an- 
other for the people. All men are equally 
bound by the duties of Religion. Christian 
virtue can no more be bent from its firm and 
upright attitude, to suit the petty views of the 
cunning and malicious, or even the specious 
views of political expedience, than the main 
pillar of the temple can be bent from its per- 
pendicular, without endangering the ruin of 
the whole edifice. If the proposition be true, 
that Peace is a blessing and War is a curse, 
the motives and the causes of the one must be 
of a character directly opposite to the motives 
and causes of the other ; and, in so far as hu- 
man agency is concerned in promoting either, 
the blessing will belong to the peace-maker or 
the curse to the violent. The elements of 
Peace are in their nature and operation su- 
premely virtuous ; the elements of War highly 
vicious. There is nothing of seeming con- 
tempt which can rob the first of its excellence, 
nor of gorgeous display which can hide the 
deformity of the last, and confer upon it real 
glory. By what perverted modes of thinking, 
then, is it, that a practice, which has even ac- 
quired the name of an art, and has proved an 
engine of destruction to so many millions of 
the human race, should continue to be trim- 
med with honors, and idolized with praises ? — 
We might reasonably wonder at the circum- 



Preliminary Observations. 25 

stance, if wo did not on all sides perceive, that 
Man, paradoxically enough, follows the evil 
which he abhors, and pursues his present, with 
infinitely more ardor than he does his future, 
good. That, in the case of War, he should be 
encouraged, by some wise and good men, to re- 
concile to Reason and Justice the indulgence of 
his malevolent feelings, is cause of still greater 
wonder, and certainly of deep lamentation. 

For, notwithstanding the force of these prin- 
ciples — in which, it is expected, most will be 
agreed, at least in theory — when we come to 
consider the actual state of man, and the pre- 
valence of evil in the world, we shall find that 
many specious arguments have been adduced 
against the practical adoption of the princi- 
ples of Peace. It has been objected that na- 
tions could not exist without War, that the 
wicked would overwhelm the good, and, al- 
though it may be a deplorable, that it is still a 
necessary evil. Hence, even among the pro- 
fessors of Christianity, Self-preservation, which 
is called the first law of Nature ; Justice, and 
even Necessity, have been urged separately 
and unitedly, as affording unanswerable reasons 
for maintaining the attitude, and proceeding to 
the extremity of War. 

In our reasonings on this subject, it will be 
assumed, that the contention between individu- 
als, like that between states, arises from the 

B 



26 Preliminary Observations. 

same principles ; and that the same arguments 
will apply to both cases. 

The Plea of Self-defence, of Justice, and of 
Necessity, will be considered in order. 



Plea of Self-Defence. 

Self-defence, it must be allosved, offers a 
plausible argument in favor of active resis- 
tance with the sword. It is, however, an argu- 
ment which would apply to animals devoid of 
reason, better than to man, who is superemi- 
nently styled Rational. It is even opposed 
by the analogy of Nature ; for, in strict uni- 
son with the moral state of Man, while, in 
some of its phenomena, it represents what are 
called physical evils, in other words, disorder 
and imperfection, yet in others, Nature dis- 
plays the signs of most perfect physical beauty 
and harmony, and of a workmanship eminent- 
ly divine: if there be any thing in such an an- 
alogy, it is against the argument, taking the 
different circumstances of man and the brute 
into consideration. Brutes do not war against 
their own kinds, as was observed formerly by 
Juvenal. And again, those animals which are 
designed to make prey of others for their sup- 
port, are formed with offensive weapons, while, 
on he other hand, their prey are provided with 



Pica of Self-defence. 27 

natural means of escape or resistance. But 
the human family is not divided in this way, 
into some naturally armed and ferocious, and 
into] others naturally unarmed and gentle. — 
We observe indeed that mankind is distinguish- 
ed into those endowed with physical, and those 
with moral power. But these distinctions are 
more or less the effect of education and outward 
circumstances. In all ages., however, the mor- 
al or intellectual endowments of man, have 
had superiority over the physical, when the 
energies of the former have been brought in- 
to full play ; and, in the unerring scale of Jus- 
tice, it has been provided that the moral influ- 
ence and virtues of the good, should be a suffi- 
cient counter-balance to the physical influence 
and vices of the bad. 

We must conclude, therefore, that if the 
wise and good are reduced to the necessity of 
taking a part in any difference, they are not to 
take a part which will increase it, but that which 
will a!*ay it; as, in this way only, can harmony 
be at last attained. We conclude, that if con- 
tests must needs arise, the only justifiable war- 
fare in which the wise and good can engage, 
is that of moral influence against brute violence: 
in short, that good dispositions are to be op- 
posed to evil — benevolent affections to malev- 
olent — the principles of Peace to the principles 
of War. 



28 Preliminary Observations. 

The argument for Self-defence, by means of 
deadly weapons, assumes, in its very princi- 
ples, that man should always be armed against 
his fellow man, and that brute force is supe- 
rior to Reason ; consequently, that a rational 
being is not to be convinced and persuaded, 
and reconciled, but that, when offering vio- 
lence, he is with summary vengeance to be 
overthrown by violence and put to death, like 
one of the inferior animals. Now, it is a state 
of things highly unbecoming to the dignity of 
rational creatures, — we say the dignity when 
we speak of those, who are upon the Lord's 
earth, setting an example to others, of the ex- 
cellency of virtue, and the superiority of moral 
to physical acquirements — it is highly deroga- 
tory to the character of moral and intellectual 
beings, that they should go about armed with 
deadly weapons, in terror of each other. Even 
a Roman poet says : 

u Integer vitse, scelerisque purus 
Non eget Mauri jaculis, neque arcu." 

The man of blameless life and pure in heart, 
Needs not the bow, nor venom'd Moorish dart. 

It may, indeed, be said, that the first ag- 
gressor forfeits the claim and character of 
man, and therefore that he ought to be treat- 
ed like a brute. But that would be to say, 
that he who is urged to an act of violence in 



Plea of Self -defence. 29 

his defence, would also be justified in laying 
aside the attributes of reason, and assuming 
those of the brute, because his fellow crea- 
ture so far deviated from the line of rational- 
ity as to set him the example : it would be a 
plea for the degradation of Reason, not for its 
ascendancy. Man is superior to the brute, 
not by his physical but by his moral energies ; 
and it would be a low distinction if one man 
did not excel another by the same. There- 
fore, if physical energies are put forth on one 
side, moral energies are to be employed on the 
other. It is not that the great and wise and 
good, should come down to the level of the 
mean and ignorant and depraved, so as to 
contend for superiority with the weapons cho- 
sen by the latter ; but it is to be considered a 
contest of virtue, honor, justice, integrity, be- 
nevolence, and order, with vice, infamy, wrong, 
deceit, violence, and confusion. Who can 
doubt, where such elements are fairly in op- 
position, to which side Providence will give the 
victory ?* 

* In Imjusmodi certamlne ac prselio, nonne, etlam si 
hominum studia deficient dii ipsi immortales cogent ab 
his pneclasissimis virtutibus, tot et tanta vitia superari ? 
Cicero. — In such a conflict between good and evil, even 
if liumari efforts should be icantivg, would not the im- 
mortal gods themselves interfere to prevent these emi- 
nent virtues being overcome by such an array of anta- 
gonist vices ? 

b2 



30 Preliminary Observations. 

But when a human being, profligate and de- 
praved, knows that society is all up in arms, 
and that cruel and vindictive law r s are in ope- 
ration against him, he will brave the worst, 
with the nerve and desperation of one who 
has never tasted the milk of human kindness 
from any of his fellow creatures, nor seen a 
tear of pity and compassion flowing for his 
sake. And so it is, when the worse part of 
society are persuaded, that if they encounter 
the better part, they will be resisted with vio- 
lence, and if possible put to death ; they will 
naturally prepare themselves with weapons of 
destruction, and brace their nerves to cruelty : 
because they feel a conviction, that those who 
would take their lives if they could, are brought 
more to a level, in spirit and intention, with 
themselves. If they were persuaded, on the 
contrary, that the better part would not resist 
them to the last extremity, it is most probable 
that whatever might be their object, they 
would rarely attack any one with bloody de- 
signs. When it can be shown that men, ta- 
ken collectively or individually, can neither 
be brought to listen to Reason, nor to Human- 
ity, nor to Religion ; and that Reason, Hu- 
manity and Religion, have exhausted their 
power against violence, without effect, — when 
it can be shown that they pay no respect to 
the innocent, peaceable, virtuous, and benevo- 



Flea of Self-defence. 31 

lent ; then, indeed, the plea of Self-defence, if 
for no other end, yet for the sake of maintaining 
social and moral order, might be admitted to 
have some weight. 

We are however disposed to think — though 
it is a question somewhat abstruse and difficult 
to meddle with — that the proposition is founded 
in Truth, that it is not wholly by physical influ- 
ence, such as an armed police or a military force, 
that civil order is maintained, even in heathen 
communities. If this should prove to be the 
case, is it credible that in Christian societies, 
right should depend upon might to secure its 
ascendancy? It is the common opinion, we know, 
that it is physical influence alone which enforces 
subordination, and supports the rights of justice, 
and it would he difficult, perhaps impossible, to 
convince the majority that this is not the case. 
For so long as the views, and hopes, and rea- 
sonings of men are outward, they will not rely 
upon providential assistance, even in the con- 
scientious discharge of their duty, nor will they 
admit it into their calculations. 

When, indeed, the frame of civil society has 
been for a long time leaning upon outward wea- 
pons for its support, its integrity appears to be 
identified with them; so that to take them away 
would seem to unhinge the whole structure, and 
to expose it to certain ruin. If a question, there- 
fore, as to its preservation in this state, should 



32 Preliminary Observations. 

arise, probably no prudent man would recom- 
mend an immediate change to an opposite state. 
For, unless the whole movements of the social 
system, should at the same time be regulated by 
a truly Christian spirit, half measures would be 
injurious : as any adulteration of that which is 
pure with that which is not so, both in principle 
and practice, is sure to rob the first of its essen- 
tial characters ; and to produce worse conse- 
quences than seem to await schemes entirely 
constructed on principles of outward expedien- 
cy, which have no relation at all to a future state 
of retribution. 

But, notwithstanding this admission — and it is 
by no means to be understood as any concession 
in favor ot violence — whatever aid physical 
power may contribute to the maintenance of 
civil order, in societies whose institutions are not 
all established on a basis of true wisdom, after 
the Christian model, there is reason to think 
that it is the ascendancy of moral influence, 
after all, which mainly supports the fabric, 
and that the great bulwarks of civil order rest 
on a firmer foundation than any outward visible 
means of defence. 

If physical influence constituted the only 
means of maintaining civij order, evil-doers 
would plainly have the advantage, as to their 
physical strength ; because the disposition to vi- 
olence is more universal in the world than the 



Plea of Self -defence. 33 

disposition to peace and forbearance. Upon the 
principle therefore, that the greatest amount of 
physical force should maintain an ascendancy 
in human affairs, violence and outrage should 
prevail, so as to subvert all laws, both divine 
and human. 

But there is no human society, which subsists 
in such a state of anarchy. Therefore, there 
are other principles than those of violence and 
outrage, which operate in the human mind to 
prevent it. 

For, what else should restrain the multitude 
of evil-doers, from rising against the good, and 
supporting the law of vice, and the dominion of 
violence ? It is certain that physical power 
would be in their hands to effect these ob- 
jects, if some moral checks did not prevent 
them. 

Surely, these checks are, the natural feelings 
of the heart coeval with the first impressions of 
right and wrong, the reverence of law and 
justice, the natural sense of Religion, and 
the consciousness that all the better feel- 
ings of mankind, as well as their own secret 
convictions, would be in array against them if 
they should be profligate enough to make the 
attempt. 

It is not the fear of those punishments which 
are inflicted by the law, as was observed by Cic- 
ero, that restrains the violent. If this were the 



34 Preliminary Observations. 

only feeling, violence would soon be triumph- 
ant over law. 

Law maintains its ascendancy, because it is 
founded in Justice ; and justice is formidable 
to the wicked, because it is an institution of the 
Deity, from the force and sensible obligation of 
which no man can free his mind, except by a 
series of graduation in vice, and by reiterated acts 
of disobedience. 

The Almighty, therefore, has himself appoint- 
ed the checks, which, we may presume, will 
forever prevent the universal dominion of vice 
over virtue. 

As to the argument of Self-defence, then, 
little, upon the Christian scheme, can be said 
in its support. For, even if we surrender the 
principle of good-will, which ought to bind 
every disciple of a benevolent Lord, the Chris- 
tian Religion requires that all its followers 
should have daily supplies from the Captain of 
their Salvation ; and that in all their wants 
they should derive their sufficiency from Him 
alone, in all their perils should seek his aid, in 
all their afflictions, his spiritual consolation. 
It can scarcely be necessary to say, that the 
strength of the true Christian is the ability 
with which he may be endowed by his divine 
Master, either to think, or to speak, or to act. 
He has no independent existence. In Him he 
lives and moves and has his bein£. He has 



Plea of Justice. 35 

no might of his own — certainly none that will 

ever avail him, to encounter the powers of 

darkness, which are his only enemies, with 
effect. 



Plea of Justice. 

Justice is either relative or absolute. Ac- 
cording to the diversity of human laws, every 
community may have its peculiar notions of Jus- 
tice — and this is relative; there is, notwithstand- 
ing, a principle of Justice, which is fixed on 
an immutable foundation, and applies to an un- 
erring standard. Every act of aggression on 
life or property implies injustice ; and as injus- 
tice ought to be punished, it must be lawful 
to prevent it, so far as man is clearly commis- 
sioned with authority to do so from his Maker. 
The Greeks, while they differed among them- 
selves, had notions of justice differing in some 
respects from those of the Romans. Both, like 
the Persians, Indians, and Chinese, formed 
their systems of jurisprudence from the light of 
nature. Wrong and outrage, therefore, have 
been restrained and punished, according to 
the notions of natural justice in different coun- 
tries, unenlightened by Divine laws. Now, the 
Divine laws from which Justice has emanated, 
have been varied, for whose purposes, in different 



36 Preliminary Observations. 

ages and dispensations to Man, as it has pleas- 
ed the Divine Author to promulgate either a 
Law of Fear or a Law of Love. — And the in- 
stitutions of Christianity, being founded on the 
last, are more merciful than the institutions of 
Moses, who was commissioned with the first. 
Therefore the latter should be fundamentally 
li part and parcel of the laws" of every 
Christian government. For if these laws are 
not in themselves adequate to the support 
and order of Christian states, then Christ 
came into the world to propose a system of 
rules inapplicable to human society. But the 
latter supposition cannot for a moment be 
entertained, and therefore we must reject the 
former, and conclude that the merciful institu- 
tions of Christianity are in themselves abun- 
dantly adequate to the support and order of 
Christian states. In all that concerned in- 
ward purity of heart and every avenue that 
might lead to defilement, a stricter discipline 
was imposed upon the Christian than upon 
the Jew : but in all that concerned the use of 
outward forms and ceremonies, the Christian 
was released from a heavy yoke which was 
laid upon the Jew. So then the harsher code 
of the Jew has been superceded by the milder 
code of the Christian. Now, as for the most 
part, it was the Law of Retaliation which meas- 
ured judgment to the Hebrew transgressor, 



Plea of Justice. 37 

and justice, to him that was injured; so it is 
for the most part, the Law of Mercy which 
is appointed to administer justice between 
Christians. Beyond this, every act of undue se- 
verity, either of individuals or of society, against 
offenders, is a violation of Christian precept, 
and, so far, an act of injustice, and of rebellion 
against its merciful government ; whatever 
excuses may be made, as of expediency and 
necessity, on the score of civil order. When 
the professed upholders of Christian law wil- 
fully transgress its precepts, on the presumption 
that these are too weak to bind the lawless, 
they themselves give to the world a most per- 
nicious example of practical unbelief. And 
their example is not lost ; for infidelity openly 
points at the inconsistency, and rails at these 
benign institutions for their supposed ineffica- 
cy, which the Christian senator has not the 
courage to act upon and to enforce, though 
he is ready to boast of their supreme au- 
thority. 

Christ the Divine Lawgiver, was not mere- 
ly satisfied to have the conduct exempt from the 
guilt of any gross immorality ; he required the 
heart also to be free from stain. Hence he 
contrasted those capital offences, that were 
already denounced in the Jewish code, with 
the first buddings of unlawful desire, from 
which they sprung ; and therefore struck at the 



38 Preliminary Observations, 

root, by forbidding even the least appearance 
of evil in the heart itself to be encouraged. — 
The Jewish Law commanded, Thou shalt not 
kill. — The Christian, Thou shalt not even 
be angry with thy brother. The newish Law 
says, Thou shalt not commit adultery. — The 
Christian, Thou shalt not be guilty in this 
respect, even so far as thought or desire. — 
The Jewish Law adjudges, u an eye for an 
eye, and a tooth for a tooth. 5 ' — -The Christian 
enjoins that men shall not resist evil ; either 
when wronged in person or property ; *'. e. 
smitten on the cheek or despoiled of a gar- 
ment. The Jewish Law commands, Thou 
shalt not forsw r ear thyself. — The Christian, 
Swear not at all ; but lot your affirmation and 
negation be yea and nay. And lastly, the 
Jewish Law permitted men to hate their ene- 
mies — those who were the enemies of God 
and Righteousness. — But the Christian says, 
in the Spirit of Peace, si Love your enemies" 
— adding, ii for if ye love them that love you, 
what reward have ye?" For, Christians should 
be in spirit bounteous and merciful to the 
whole human family, like the Father of all, 
" who sends his rain on the just as well as on 
the unjust." 

Now, it is certain, that, at the same time, 
and in the same precepts, in which Christ laid 



Plea of Justice. 39 

down for his followers a stricter path to walk 
in than Moses had appointed for the Jews, he 
relaxed the severity of penal ordinances : for, 
while he omitted nothing which might lead the 
obedient disciples onward to perfection, he was 
silent upon every thing that might seem to war* 
rant the exercise of severity against sinners ; 
because his office was not to punish sin in the 
repentant sinner, but to take it wholly away ; 
and even when the woman convicted of a capital 
offence was brought before him for judgment, 
he gave a memorable lesson to modern legis- 
lators: Let him that is iciihoat sin cast the 
first stone. If, therefore, we may take our no- 
tions of Justice from the spirit of Christ's pre- 
cepts, it has nothing vindictive in its character: 
vengeance belongs only to u the Judge of quick 
and dead." 

Hence, if Christian Justice be the rule and 
guide of human councils — and it ought to be 
so, for every follower of Christ should obey 
his precepts and cultivate the same spirit — it 
can give no sanction to war and contention, 
or to any sort of penal retribution from man, 
except that which leads to the correction of vice 
and to repentance. Christian justice, being in 
itself complete, and the very perfection of mo- 
ral administration in the world, is in all re- 
spects identified with, and cannot be separated 
from, Divine justice. There is no human being, 



40 Preliminary Observations. 

nor any assemblage of human beings, who, by 
law or ordinance, can justly authorize an act 
which is not founded on the principles of Christ- 
ian justice. These principles, being merciful, 
must be obeyed, if men would look for mercy 
from their Maker, however hard the necessity 
of the case may seem to those who are injur- 
ed. 

Now, unless the rulers of Christian States 
can prove themselves to be duly commissioned 
with a special mandate of the Almighty, to exe- 
cute his sovereign will against transgressors, by 
some violent penal chastisement, they cannot 
consistently plead that thev have the sanction of 
Christian Justice. For, if they acknowledge 
that they do not act under this influence and with 
this divine authority, any other Justice, to which 
they may appeal and lay claim, whether Jewish 
or Heathen, will neither recommend the tribunal 
by which it is administered, in the sight of men, 
as a Christian tribunal, nor will it call down 
the divine blessing, which was pronounced 
by the Savior of the world upon the merci- 
ful. 

We have an example of Christian Jurispru- 
dence in practical operation, in the early history 
of Pennsylvania: audit appears that the consta- 
ble's staff was found to be sufficient, both to 
command the respect of the people and to enforce 



Plea of Justice. 41 

the execution of the Criminal laws, without 
sword or musket. 

This argument, therefore, gives no counte- 
nance to the idea, that all good men may not 
lawfully co-operate to preserve peace and order, 
and to restrain the violent, as they would restrain 
those who are devoid of Reason. But it insists 
on the condition, that, in so doing, they carry 
with them neither the temper nor the instruments 
of violence. There is not in the universe a 
greater coward than the man, who is guilty of 
some flagitious crime and sees the indignation 
of the good on all sides roused against him : — 
" The wicked fleeth when no man pu'sueth." 
And there is not, on the contrary, any one more 
truly bold than the good man, w 7 ho goes forth 
unarmed, confiding in God and his integrity, 
against the weapons of the cruel : ce The right- 
eous is bold as a lion." 



Plea of Necessity. 
The w T orcl Necessity, when applied to the 
moral conduct of free agents, implies nothing 
more tkan duty, and in the case of War, it in- 
volves two considerations : First, the duty of 
preserving our existence ; and secondly, obe- 
dience to moral or divine requisition. 

It is plain, that in all cases in which these 
d2 



42 Preliminary Observations. 

duties may seem to interfere, the first must 
yield to the last. For, the promise or assur- 
ance of immortal felicity to all who obey the 
divine commands, cuts off the justification that 
would lean upon self-preservation as a para- 
mount duty ; and by making temporal concerns 
of little account in the scale, whether they be 
possessions, privileges, rights, or the endear- 
ments of kindred, it enhances the value of the 
eternal, and therefore exacts unconditional 
submission to the divine law. If these prin- 
ciples did not hold, no man would ever have 
been a martyr to the convictions of his con- 
science. 

Necessity cannot surely imply that when life 
appears to be in danger, every other considera- 
tion is to be set aside, in order to preserve it. 
This is not the doctrine of Scripture : it is not 
even the doctrine of heathen Philosophy, 

It was an old saying among those who were 
but partially enlightened respecting a future 
state, Fiat justitia, ruat ccelum: — Let man do 
his duty, whatever extremity may happen: and 
it was consistently held that, in some cases, 
when pressed by violence, men ought rather 
to surrender their lives, than submit to any act 
of turpitude or ignominy, for the sake of prolong- 
ing their existence. So then, the preservation 
of life was not to be regarded as the only end 
and object of rational beings. For, virtue re- 



Plea of Necessity. 43 

quired that life itself should be under-valued, 
when placed in competition with duty and true 
honor. If a man were reduced to the supposed 
necessity of telling a falsehood to save his life, 
would he be justified in violating the Truth, 
when he felt persuaded that there is a God 
in heaven to reward the upright? If he were 
reduced to the supposed necessity of killing ano- 
ther to save himself, would he be justified in 
breaking the Christian injunction, " not to resist 
evil," when he entertained a religious confidence 
that mercy would hereafter be extended to all 
that show mercy ? 

But it might happen, as it often has happened, 
that the necessity of violent resistance might 
not be real, and that in the very crisis of alarm, 
by some unforeseen incident, life might be 
preserved with honor. How lamentable, then, 
must be the reflection to a Christian, that by 
yielding to revenge, he had cut off a fellow-crea- 
ture in the midst of his crimes, who by a little 
kindness and persuasion, from an enemy, might 
have been made a friend, and, who, by means 
of salutary discipline, might have been turned 
from a course of wickedness to a state of accep- 
tance with his Maker! 

The argument which supports the Necessity 
of force being opposed to force, assumes, that 
nations or indi\idug)s being threatened, and 
life, or liberty, or property, being in consequence 



44 Preliminary Observations. 

endangered, arms must be resorted to for the 
purpose of affording protection: Therefore, that 
those who meditate or offer violence, are to be 
resisted with brute violence, as a matter of course, 
and if possible put to death. 

Now, who is competent to judge of the Ne- 
cessity and the danger, supposing the plea to 
be admitted? Is he who is impelled by fear 
or anger ? Or the sensitive politician, who 
weaves his web at every court, and is trem- 
blingly alive to each of its vibrations ? Or is 
the weaker state when threatened by the strong- 



er 



? 



There is no one, surely, more unfit for judg- 
ing dispassionately of what is right to be done 
in cases of imminent peril, than the fearful. 
Fear pictures imaginary dangers. It excludes 
all reliance upon Providence. It therefore 
moves the mind from the settled resting-place 
of Fortitude, in which it is best prepared to 
meet and to overcome Danger by moral intre- 
pidity. Hence Fear ought not to govern a ra- 
tional being in the midst of peril, either as a 
motive or a guide. What has the man of integ- 
rity to fear ? 

With respect to the quick and headlong im- 
pulse of Anger, he that seeks to attain any ra- 
tional end, while under its influence, instead of 
waiting for a calm, " pfts #o sea in the vio- 
lence of a storm." As the instinctive principles 



Plea of Necessity. 45 

which comprehend the Appetites and Desires 
must be restrained, so nothing is more true 
than that moral and intellectual beings are not 
to suffer the animal principle of Resentment to 
hurry them indiscriminately and without delib- 
eration into action. 

If it be said that in well disciplined armies 
there is neither Fear nor Anger, but a coura- 
geous and manly spirit; and therefore that these 
strictures do not apply : we grant, the objec- 
tion may be true, as far as it refers to these as 
instruments. But the case is widely different 
with those who make use of them. The soldier, 
being reduced, by a voluntary act, to the state 
of passive obedience, makes a conscience of 
submitting his will in every thing to that 
of his superior ; whether he be commanded 
to shoot his fellow soldier, or to destroy his 
enemy and burn his habitation, or to seiz« the 
property of his countrymen, or to expose his 
own life to certain destruction : and if he con- 
scientiously believes this duty to be para- 
mount, far be it from us to condemn him. — 
We have not to do with the different degrees 
of light in the minds of men, but with the 
light of Scripture — the clear and explicit com- 
mands of Christ. When it can be proved 
from these, that a man may resist evil, may 
pursue his revenge with the sword, may hate his 
enemy and take away his life, then we will give 



46 Preliminary Observations. 

up the argument. But we think there would 
be more honesty in avowing that the yoke of 
Christian discipline is too hard for us to bear, 
than in attempting to reconcile the duty of for- 
bearance with revenge, the love of our enemies 
with their destruction, and the peaceable char- 
acter with the warlike. 

Christian laws have respect to the highest 
degree of human excellence : they admit no in- 
ferior standard of virtue ; they will have men 
to be Christians in deed and in truth. They 
do not insist upon precise conformity in some, 
and allow partial conformity in others, merely 
because the latter choose a path for themselves 
not quite so straight. There is but one pattern 
of excellence proposed to all for imitation. All 
may fall short in degree : but no man is al- 
lowed to content himself with a relaxed disci- 
pline, or to fix any inferior rule. If so, the rule 
might vary in every community. And at last 
the conqueror might be esteemed more noble 
than the martyr; and the warlike Mahomet he 
set up as a more worthy example for men to 
follow than the peaceful Messiah. 

Whatever allowance therefore may be made 
in the case of the hired soldier ; to those at the 
helm of Christian states, as lawgivers and coun- 
sellors, who send him upon his commission, and 
give the impulse to his movements, upon Christ- 
ian principles, the same indulgence cannot be 



Plea of Necessity. 4? 

extended. Whether these may call it Honor or 
National Independence, for which they have 
recourse to arms, it cannot be doubted, that the 
true motives for organizing armies arise from 
Fear, Jealousy, or Resentment. 

Now these are motives which ought not to 
enter into the mind of a Christian, much less 
to influence his conduct, With respect in- 
deed to resentment, it would be more credit- 
able at least to humanity, that men should go 
forward to the work of death under this ani- 
mal influence, — because brute passion extin- 
guishes for the time w hat is generous and am- 
iable, — than under the factitious and delusive 
influence of any other principle which has ac- 
quired a specious name among men, and which 
seems to permit the growth of good and evil 
together, one of the most dangerous kinds of 
union, because they are then so apt to be con- 
founded, such as Honor, Glory and Love of 
Country. Human nature, the more it is refined 
and enlightened, the more it ought to possess 
of the milk of human kindness, and the less of 
a thirst for blood. True Honor, true Glory, 
true Love of Country, if the terms were rightly 
understood, would effectually restrain the in- 
habitants of any nation, who knew their real 
interests, from engaging in conflicts, that must 
tend unavoidably, to demoralize their coun- 
trymen, to waste their strength and resources, 
and to subject themselves to reprisals from their 



48 Preliminary Observations. 

enemies. But Honor, Glory and Love of Coun- 
try, by means of capricious and false associa- 
tions, which artfully cover a deformity that 
could not be endured if the veil were remov- 
ed, have long been prostituted to ends alike 
derogatory to Reason, and abhorrent from the 
meek spirit of Christianity, which cannot there- 
fore in any way be supposed to exalt the dig- 
nity of human nature. If they could have 
this effect, the world ought to be used as 
a great arena, on which contending armies 
should be perpetually struggling for the sup- 
port and exercise of the military virtues / in- 
stead of a theatre for the display of benevolence, 
the diffusion of knowledge, the propagation of 
Truth, the improvement and happiness of the 
human race, and the universal spread of Peace 
and Righteousness. 

Some of the cases of presumed Necessity, 
which have been urged by politicians, for em- 
broiling two nations in war, are almost calcu- 
lated to excite a smile — if it were possible to 
excite a smile on such a subject. The reasons 
have been so puerile, and the causes of dif- 
ference so easy to have been removed by a lit- 
tle mutual concession, that it is marvellous, that 
any stress should have been laid on such pre- 
tended justifications ; for these are seen by the 
dispassionate observers at a distance, in their 
true light, as unworthy of the least considera- 



Pica of Necessity. 49 

tion in the scale of humanity and true nation- 
al glory. The sensitive jealousy of politicians 
towards rival nations, is always rankling as in a 
state of feverish excitement. To them u trifles 
light as air" are strong confirmations of intend- 
ed coolness and hostility. They raise the phan- 
tom and they pursue it. Hence a political 
necessity for War has been urged, on account 
of an obsolete claim of some insignificant por- 
tion of territory, or an alleged insult offered to 
a flag or an ambassador, or a breach of some 
state punctillio, or the exclusive monopoly of 
some article of commerce, or some private 
pique between rulers or ministers, or the fan- 
cied undue preponderance in the scale of bal- 
anced power, or some other of the many bub- 
bles blown by secret ambition and constantly 
floating in the fluctuating element of diplomat- 
ic intrigue. It is manifest that every one of 
these causes could really have no more to do 
with Necessity than the appearance of a Comet; 
which in times of superstition it was imagined 
did exert some necessary influence in producing 
War. 

"The Cornet from its flaming hair, 



Shakes down diseases, pestilence and War." 

Pope's Homek. 

When a weak state is menaced by one that 

£ 



50 Preliminary Observations. 

is powerful, there is prima facie a strong justi- 
fication for taking up arms to defend what are 
called its Rights. The cause is supposed to 
be one which Heaven must approve. The 
love of liberty natural to man awakes enthu- 
siasm ; the God of justice is invoked in aid 
of the enterprise: and ; as if to encourage and 
embolden,' the secret prayers of the friends 
of civil liberty in all countries who look at the 
object without regarding the means, are put up 
for its success. And what are the usual conse- 
quences ? As if the Almighty Controller of 
human events designed to show his creature 
man, that, in this age of the world it is not by 
savage contention that the ends of his sove- 
reign Justice should be attained in the earth, 
the weak state is overthrown; wickedness is 
triumphant; thousands perhaps are slain; and 
the remainder reduced to a condition far more 
abject and degraded than if they had submit- 
ted peaceably to the aggression, with no other 
appearance of resistance than that moral sting 
which an unoffending and peaceable state 
throws against its adversary, when it protests 
firmly and energetically, with Reason and Jus- : 
tice on its side, against wanton and unprinci- 
pled aggression. In so hard a case as the lat- 
ter^ us human nature is constituted, the very 
agents would be ashamed of the commission 
they had undertaken 5 and they would be dis- 



Pica of Necessity. 5l 

posed, as far as lay in their power, to lessen the 
weight of oppression upon the innocent, instead 
of adding to the burden* 

Of all the reasonings in favor of the use of 
arms, there is none which comes home more 
closely to flesh and blood, or is more triumph- 
antly urged against the disciple of Peace,- than 
that which supposes the circumstance of a 
civil waf and of a murderer at our own houses. 
In civil wars, it is well known, that violence, 
as in the contentions of kindred, rages with 
unnatural fury; for men will bear oppression 
from strangers better than from their owiv 
countrymen; so that he who professes to be 
neutral, instead of being regarded as a friend, 
is commonly looked upon as an enemy by both 
parties. 

And when the peace of a family circle is 
invaded, and instant destruction seems to be 
impending over our dearest connexions, all 
that is human within us is roused by the argu- 
ment in question, to justify the immediate at- 
tempt to destroy the guilty, for the purpose of 
defending the innocent. 

Abstractedly viewing the two cases, there 
could scarcely be a difference of opinion respect- 
ing the course a man of common worldly pru- 
dence woiild adopt. 

In the one case he would connect himself 
y\t\\ one side or the other, as wejl to secure his 



62 Preliminary Observations. 

safety as to fulfil what he might consider a 
point of duty. In the other, he would obey 
the impulse of his sensitive nature, and would 
pursue the first bent of his mind, not only in 
resisting the meditated wrong, but in taking 
the life of his opponent. With those to whom 
this world is every thing, and father, mother, 
wife, children, friends, riches, possessions, pri- 
vileges, and life, are dearer than the Cross of 
Christ, with the promises of a blessed immor- 
tality annexed, it is perfectly clear that it 
would be nugatory to argue in this matter. — 
But with any who place their hopes in heaven, 
and their reliance upon Providence, and who 
would rather surrender the object most dear to 
them than violate the least of the commands of 
the Prince of Peace, a momentary inquiry at 
least might be admitted: — 

Will Heaven, indeed, permit the arm of vio- 
lence to rob me of mv friends or property, and 
perhaps my life ? Shall I obey the commands of 
Christ in pursuing my enemy even to death? 
Shall I hurry an assassin to the grave in the 
midst of his crime, who may possibly become my 
friend, and sincerely repent of his wicked de- 
sign ? Shall I resist the violent on his own 
ground, with his own weapons, and on his own 
principles — those of violence? If J do, how then 
is the standard of Peace to be supported in the 
world? How is the example of Christ himself 



Plea of Neccsiity. 53 

imitated and recommended to others by such 
conduct? 

If the first impulse is right and must be obey* 
ed> these questions are not appropriate. If 
these questions strike the sincere Christian with 
any weight, and cannot be answered, without 
serious misgivings, it is most probable that the 
first impulse is wrong, or at least is to be re- 
strained by a higher principle. 

After all, therefore, that can be said on ei- 
ther side, we must at last come to this ques- 
tion, whether the Lord's devoted followers, 
the peace-makers on whom Christ pronounced 
his blessing, not Christians by name and tra- 
dition only, not those who would cement the 
interest of two worlds together, which are in- 
compatible — are to rely upon his Providence 
in their extremity, or on the use of means 
which seem directly to involve a breach of his 
Divine Laws, and to foster the indulgence of 
propensities entirely opposed to the enlarge- 
ment of his peaceful kingdom. It is impossi- 
ble to argue the case upon Christian principles, 
without distinct reference to the immediate 
care of Providence. Unless this be taken for 
granted, all human reasoning is against the 
principles we defend. If this be admitted, with 
those proper limitations which man's free agen- 
cy requires, the cause of Truth and Innocence 
and Justice must be the cause of God him- 
e2 



64 Preliminary Observations, 

self, and defensible only by moral weapons* 
He that proceeds to violence in the support of 
moral order, usurps the sceptre of the Sover- 
eign Ruler, and employs the thunder, and the 
earthquake, and the flood, and the lightning, 
against his fellow-creature. But there is this 
essential difference : in the hands of the Al- 
mighty, the elemental conflict is succeeded by 
a state of calm, and it contributes to some 
good natural design, bringing things into har- 
mony ; whereas, in the hands of man, when 
he attempts to wield these instruments of ven- 
geance, in other words, of physical power, 
against his enemy, whatever calm may ensue, 
it is not the quiet of harmony but of smother- 
ed hate, ready, on the first slight occasion, to 
burst into fury. In the one case, there is only 
a deformity of the natural world, which is 
slight and transient and salutary in its effects; 
in the other, a state of moral disorder, which 
the conflict does not terminate, but heart-burn- 
ings and misery, and the various forms of moral 
evil, are left behind. For, it must be con- 
fessed, that War puts in operation a more 
demoralizing, inhuman, and unchristian machin- 
ery, than was ever devised by the perverted 
ingenuity of man. Its causes and its effects 
go hand in hand, and like the tree and its fruits, 
betray their affinity. On one side we may see 
the lust of dominion and of military fame, with 



Plea of Necessity. 55 

its aspiring notions : on the other, fear and re- 
venge, with its low, degrading passions, all 
alike anti-christian, entering into the motives. 
As to the effects, we shall scarcely err in af- 
firming that few conquerors ever yet returned 
from battle, without some secret stings of con- 
science, nor armies, without more or less 
moral corruption ; nor has any nation ever 
withdrawn itself from a contest, without paying 
a severe and bloody price for all its victories. 
Cicero would not have declared that he prefer- 
red the most unjust and disadvantageous peace 
to the justest loar—^-" iniquissimam pacem justis- 
simo bello antefero" — if his experience had not 
proved this to be the case. It cannot be doubt- 
ed that he deduced this conclusion from facts 
more than from theory. And Tacitus, another 
enlightened Roman, takes it for granted, as a 
thing in itself obvious — that it was infinitely 
better for a nation to cultivate peace, than to 
perplex itself ivith war. — " Quis ignorat satius 
ac melius esse pace frui quam bello vexari?" 
It is not o be supposed that heathen statesmen 
would have established principles like these, 
in direct opposition to fact and expediency. — 
How strong, then, must be the ground taken by 
the Christian statesman in advocating Peace, 
when he finds that the principles of that Re- 
ligion which was sent to lead human nature 
to its highest perfection, confirm the practical 



56 Preliminary Observations. 

conclusions of the wise heathen! No man can 
be so bold as to argue that any one of the pre- 
cepts of Christ, or any part of his conduct, can 
be construed into a direct or indirect vindication 
of War. On the other hand, the positive in- 
junctions to maintain Peace, and to subdue 
the elements of War, are numerous and une- 
quivocal. And the same thing may be said of 
the Apostles, with the casual exception of Pe- 
ter, who met with a signal reproof at the time, 
strong enough to establish the law of Peace 
forever: u Put up thy sword into the sheath: 
for all they that take the sword shall perish with 
the sword." 

It has therefore been discovered by experi- 
ence, and experience is in unison with the pure 
doctrines of Christianity, that there are princi- 
ples of human conduct — principles opposed to 
brute violence in all its forms — w-hose operation 
is so powerful, that while they prove a support 
to the innocent, by turning them to an Almighty 
Protector, they soften the fury of their oppress- 
ors, and frequently change it into admiration. 
So that these cannot but observe the contrast 
between the self-protecting armor of Piety, and 
the desolating instruments of Cruelty. 

It is a fact of not unfrequent occurrence, that 
when things have been brought to the most criti- 
cal juncture, and, according to human apprehen- 
sion, death or bondage has been inevitable. 



Plea of Necessity. 57 

those who have been enabled to trust with meek- 
ness in Divine Help, have experienced wonder- 
ful preservation. And, on the contrary, how 
many examples are there of those who have re- 
sisted violence falling victims ! So that, active 
resistance, it would appear, often defeats its end: 
while non-resistance, accompanied with suitable 
dispositions, has the immediate effect of disarm- 
ing ferocity, and suspending the meditated blow. 
It is not necessary to look far into human na- 
ture, to explain the theory of these moral phe- 
nomena. But it is time that Christian statesmen 
should know, and that they should act upon the 
conviction, that the system of Christianity con- 
tains the profoundest principles of Philosophy as 
w T ell as of Divine Truth ; and that so far from 
being visionary in their application, these prin- 
ciples are of the highest practical utility, at all 
times and under all circumstances: and happy 
are they who have faith to put them in practice, 
as individuals or as nations. 



The preceding observations are made with 
a view to prepare the reader's mind for the 
following narrative, and to illustrate the nature 
and operation of the Principles of Peace ; and 
the events are recorded for the purpose of show- 
ing by well authenticated facts, how a Christ- 



o8 Preliminary Observations. 

ian Society, professing and acting upon these 
principles, demeaned itself in the afflicting crisis 
of civil warfare ; when many individuals and 
families of this Society, from time to time, found 
themselves at the mercy, and, at least outwardly, 
in the power, of some of the most undisciplined 
of their fellow-creatures. 

It is supposed that facts will have greater in- 
fluence in convincing the judgment than reason- 
ings however clear, or precepts however highly 
sanctioned. 

The first class of incidents about to be re- 
corded, relates to the peculiar trials experienced 
by some members of the Society, in the county 
of Wexford, the principal theatre of contention in 
the South, in consequence of their determination 
to take no part in war, as well as to the manner 
in which they were preserved. The next relates 
to the threats and dangers to which they were 
subjected, for the firmness and faithfulness with 
which they endeavored to discharge the impor- 
tant duty of religious worship, and to the way in 
which these threats were defeated. A third 
class, to which the reader's attention will be di- 
rected, refers to the trials, connected in some 
degree with the last, arising from the refusal of 
many individuals to conform to the ceremonies 
of the Romish church, which exposed them, in 
the circle of their families, as well as abroad, to 
the danger of instant death- And a fourth class 



Preliminary Observations. 59 

will embrace a more comprehensive range of 
incident relating to the Society, in other parts of 
the country which were the scenes of commo- 
tion. 

In every place, it will appear, that the same 
principles of conduct produced effects of a simi- 
lar description. 



CHAPTER II. 

STATE OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS, PREVIOUS 
TO ; AND DURING, THE REBELLION. 

It is generally known that an objection to 
take part in War, in any shape, forms one of the 
tenets of the Society of Friends, commonly call- 
ed Quakers. This objection is purely religious, 
and is founded upon what they conceive to be 
the spirit of the Gospel Dispensation, as it is 
illustrated in the precepts of Christ and his 
Apostles, and exemplified in their practice. — 
They consider that it must follow as a necessary 
consequence, that a religion breathing Peace 
and Good-will to men, cannot in any case, be 
supported by the Spirit of War. They believe, 
that, on the contrary, the practice of this Evil, 
among the professors of Christianity ; has tend- 
ed more than any other circumstance, to pre- 
vent its propagation in the world, to tarnish its 
excellency in the eyes of the Jews and Pagans, 
and to confirm their speculative and practical 
errors. As it was not by the secular arm, but 
in direct opposition to the sword, that it insinu- 



State of the Society , fyc. 61 

tiled itself into the minds of men and was first 
promulgated, so they believe, that its final es- 
tablishment in the nations of the earth will be 
effected through the medium of the softening 
influence of its pacific spirit, and by the glorious 
example of Peace and Concord among its fol- 
lowers. 

In the year 1798, the state of Ireland afforded 
a striking occasion to the members ofthis Socie- 
ty, who are scattered abroad in different parts 
of that kingdom, to put the efficacy of their 
peaceful principles to the test. It is, however, 
to be presumed, that, even if outward preserve 
tion had not been experienced, they who con- 
scientiously take the maxims of Peace for the 
rule of their conduct, would hold it not less 
their duty to conform to these principles, be- 
cause the reward of such as endeavor to act in 
obedience to their Divine Master's will, is not 
always to be looked for in the present life. — 
While, therefore, the fact of their outward pre- 
servation would be no sufficient argument to 
themselves that they had acted as they ought to 
act in such a crisis, it affords a striking lesson 
to all who will take no principle for a rule of 
human conduct, even if it should have the sanc- 
tion of Divine authority, that has not been veri- 
fied by experience. 

When a kingdom is divided in itself, it is 
difficult for any to remain neutral. Either 

F 



62 Neutrality difficult during Rebellion. 

the passions of human nature, by the influence 
of many private and public bonds, will be 
pressed to a near union with one of the con- 
tending parties ; or the Christian principle of 
universal charity must operate, uniformly and 
powerfully, in maintaining a dignified and ami- 
cable relation with all. It is therefore neces- 
sary to subdue the natural propensity which we 
feel to imbibe the fears, hopes, wishes and 
prejudices of our neighbor, to bear his re- 
proach for our seeming apathy, and in this 
way to clear the avenue of the mind from the 
seeds of contention, that in thought and word, 
as well as in deed, we may be followers of 
Peace. 

Whatever secret and slowly operating causes 
might have conspired to produce the Rebel- 
lion of 179S, it is certain that different objects 
were proposed by two great classes of the Insur- 
gents. By some, civil liberty — a specious 
pretence in all ages to the warm and enter- 
prising, — by others, uniformity in religious 
Faith — an imposing object to the dark and 
bigotted, were held up as justifiable reasons 
for erecting the standard of Sedition, and 
plunging their native country into the horrors 
or a civil war. The members of a Society 
which neither united with the political nor 
the religious views of these factious bands, 
might naturally be looked upon with suspicion 



Friends critically circumstanced. 63 

by both ; at least they were not likely to be 
considered as friends: and as a part of the 
community, which did not exert itself actively 
in aiding the power, it was bound, in all cases 
of purely civil obligation, to obey, in order to 
suppress a rebellion, the motives and objects 
of which it could not possibly approve, the 
Society, in its relation to the government, 
seemed to manifest but a spurious loyalty. It 
was in fact openly charged, not only with a 
dereliction of its civil duties, but with a tacit 
reliance upon its neighbors, to step forward 
in the defence of rights and privileges, in which 
it was as much interested as others. Hence, 
whatever forbearance the government itself 
was disposed to exercise towards the Society, 
the professed loyalists, as they were termed, 
regarded its members in no more favorable 
light than as drones, unwilling to work, and 
ready to feed upon the honey supplied by the 
industrious bees. Whether some individuals, 
who, having the name, were but little bound 
to the principles of the Society, might not 
have deserved this imputation, is not a matter 
of much moment. For, were the question to 
be decided in the affirmative, the censure could 
neither lessen the value of the principles them- 
selves, nor affect the general character of the 
body, in its conscientious support of these prin- 
ciples. 



64 Precautions taken in 

These were a few of the critical circum- 
stances in which the Society of Friends was 
placed at this period, when private individuals 
belonging to it, many of them separated at a 
considerable distance from each other, very 
often without an earthly counsellor to flee to, 
and therefore deprived of any other refuge 
than the light and law of God in their own 
hearts, were engaged to lift up the standard of 
Peace to their contending countrymen, and 
with few exceptions, enabled to preserve a 
remarkable consistency on this memorable oc- 
casion. 

Long before the awful period, they had 
seen a spirit of contention working in the minds 
of the people: opposed factions were increas- 
ing their numbers and marking out friends and 
foes: in the silence and gloomy reserve, which 
characterized the multitude, a storm was seen 
to be gathering; and it appeared obvious that 
as deep-seated animosity was concentrating its 
forces on either side, nothing short of a dread- 
ful conflict could extinguish their mutual ha- 
tred in mutual slaughter. If the members of 
the Society in question did not anticipate this 
calamity, they seem at least to have wisely 
taken some precautions against it. One of the 
means adopted by the Insurgents in. the first 
place, to prepare for the struggle, and by con- 
stituted authorities in the next, to defeat their 



destroying their Arms. 65 

purpose was the robbery and the search for 
arms in private houses. So early as the year 
1796, and in one particular province in 1795, 
the Quarterly Meetings of the Society were in- 
duced to recommend to all their members 
through the medium of Monthly Meetings, that 
those individuals who had guns or other weap- 
ons in their houses should destroy them: and 
the General or National Meeting of 1796 con- 
firmed this recommendation ; in order, as the 
document states, " to prevent their being made 
use of to the destruction of any of our fellow- 
creatures — and more fully and clearly to sup- 
port our peaceable and Christian testimony in 
these perilous times." 

Committees were appointed by the several 
Monthly Meetings throughout the Society, to 
go round to the different members for this pur- 
pose; and it appears that, in most families, these 
committees had little more to do than to com- 
municate their business; some having previous- 
ly destroyed all such instruments, and others 
giving full expectation of their intention imme- 
diately to comply with the recommendation of 
the superior meetings, whilst a few, who could 
not be prevailed upon to make this sacrifice, 
were found to have been generally inconsistent 
in their conduct in other respects: so that they 
soon incurred the censure of the Society, and 
suffered disownment. It w r as certified that 
f2 



66 An Example in 

upon the whole, the labors of the members 
to carry this wholesome advice into effect, 
were attended with a considerable degree of 
success. 

It is related by an individual who resided 
at Ferns, in the county of Wexford, that be- 
ing appointed on one of these committees, he 
saw the necessity of first cleansing his own 
hands: and he took a fowling piece which he 
had, and broke it in pieces in the street oppo- 
site to his own house; an example of fidelity to 
his principles, and a spectacle of wonder to his 
neighbors. 

A little after this, when the government or- 
dered all arms to be given up to the magistrates, 
it was a source of satisfaction to many, that in 
a general way, the members of the Society were 
found to be without any such thing in their pos- 
session. 

On this head, a circumstance, relating to 
the Friend above alluded to, deserves to be 
noticed ; as it shows at once the uncertainty 
of life, and the* weakness of human dependen- 
cy; but, in stating this fact, or others of a simi- 
lar nature, the author hopes none of his readers 
will imagine that he is anxious to hold up 
such events to view, as in the light of judg- 
ments upon those who did not see the religious 
necessity of abstaining from war. Many well- 
disposed persons, of different denominations, he 



the Conduct of a Friend. 67 

has no doubt, were permitted to be cut off by 
the arm of violence, during the time of the re- 
bellion, in mercy and not in judgment. It is 
the object of this publication to record simply 
the facts: it is not for the author to judge any 
of his fellow-creatures. 

Some of the neighboring magistrates with 
the clergyman of the parish, came to his house, 
and, the Friend being absent, expostulated 
with his wife on the supposed impropriety of 
his having destroyed his gun instead of giving 
it up to the government, for the alleged pur- 
pose of defending the loyalists against the fo- 
menters and plotters of rebellion, and for the 
preservation of himself and his family. On 
which occasion the clergyman, who seems to 
have been an amiable man, made this sponta- 
neous remark, " That he believed the Friend 
had put his confidence in a higher Power.'' — 
On the day the town of Enniscorthy was burn- 
ed, this clergyman was murdered, and his body 
with many others, was exposed for several days 
in the streets, where they were left to be eat- 
en by the swine, till party rage had so far sub- 
sided as to embolden a few Friends to bury their 
remains. One of the magistrates was also mur- 
dered, and his house was burned over the 
body. 

As the members of the Society, at so early a 
period as the year 1796, by taking the precau- 



68 The Precaution considered 

cautionary step of destroying their arms, mani- 
fested to the government their peaceable in- 
tentions; so, in the few months of turbulence 
and dismay which immediately preceded the 
Rebellion of 1798, they were in a consider- 
able degree relieved from the midnight depre- 
dations of the rebels, to which most of their 
neighbors were exposed, in the lawless search 
for destructive weapons*, because it was now 
generally known that none such were kept in 
their houses. And the National Meeting of 
the Society was concerned, officially, to ac- 
knowledge its belief, " that this early destruc- 
tion of these instruments was, under Provi- 
dence, a means of lessening in some degree 
the effusions of human blood, (as these wea- 
pons would probably have fallen into the 
hands of violent men,) and might have also 
tended to preserve some of the members of 
the Society from blood, who, if they had had 
guns in their houses, might have used them in 
an unguarded moment of surprise or attack, 
so as to take the lives of their fellow-crea- 
tures. 

A Friend, living near the town of Taghmon, 
remarks, that he had personal proof of the ad- 
vantage of having destroyed the guns kept for 
domestic purposes ; and he gives the follow- 
ing instance: " Two parties of insurgents com- 
ing near my father's residence during the Re- 



to be salutary. 69 

bellion, an individual of one party of them snap- 
ped a gun at the other; when an armed man 
came to the front door, and on my coming to- 
wards him, presented his gun at my breast, as- 
serting that a gun had been snapped at their 
party by some person of our family. I then 
felt less of fear than often during that period, 
when in less apparent danger, and told him 
we had destroyed our guns, and that there had 
been no arms in the house except what their 
party had brought into it, for a considerable 
time; appealing to our servants, who confirmed 
the truth thereof. And, soon after, some, prob- 
ably of this party, came, and he being, I sup- 
posed, informed of the real circumstances of the 
case, withdrew, when I saw one of the party 
whom I had some knowledge of, and who ap- 
peared friendly disposed to me; and on going to 
speak with him, I saw in the passage to the 
house, numbers sitting in groups, as if consult- 
ing on what had occurred." 

As the state of public affairs was drawing 
nearer to a crisis, the situation of the Society, 
especially of those who resided in the vicinity 
of the contending parties, was a subject of deep 
and awful solicitude to its feeling members; and 
many individuals had the efficacy of their relig<? 
Jous principles against War, put, in various 
ways, to severe proof. 

Amongst these, the Friend before alluded to 5 



$0 Afiecdotc and 

residing in the village of Ferns, in the county 
of Wexford, who is represented to have been 
constitutionally weak in body and timid in dis- 
position, had to endure a considerable share of 
close trials; and, notwithstanding his natural in- 
firmities, it appears, that, in most cases, he was 
enabled to support his principles with exempla- 
ry firmness. 

A party of militia being stationed at Ferns, 
the Earl of M — • ■ -■ r , who commanded, came 
to this Friend, and desired he would give up 
part of his house, which was then used as a 
store* for a guard-house for the soldiers. The 
requisition being sudden, the Friend was put to 
a stand what he should answer ; and although 
he might have refused it on the ground of its be- 
ing occupied as a store, yet, knowing that this 
inconvenience could be obviated, he was not ea- 
sy to cloak the real cause of objection with any 
disguise or subterfuge. Considering, therefore 
that this was a fit opportunity to lift up the stan- 
dard of Peace and to bear his testimony against 
War, he honestly told the commander "that the 
apartment he requested was occupied as a store- 
room — but besides, that the purposes for which 
it was wanted were such as he could not unite 
with, having a conscientious scruple against 
War, and every thing connected with it." Ur 
®n this, the Earl of M grew very an- 
gry, and desired the soldiers who were with* 



— 



Consistency of a Friend. 71 

him to afford the Friend no protection, in case 
any disturbance should arise. To this observa- 
tion, the latter replied, that " he hoped he 
should not trust to, or apply for, military pro- 
tection." The commander went away greatly 
displeased, and seemed to mark out this Friend 
as a disaffected person ; indeed, he did not 
know how soon a prison might be his lot; espec- 
ially, as one of the militia-men, who was quar- 
tered at his house for many weeks, being enter- 
tained at free cost, propagated many false re- 
ports of him, with respect to political matters; 
so that his situation became increasingly per- 
ilous. 

Some months after this, the military began 
to act with great rigor towards those that were 
suspected of being United Irishmen,* — burning 
their houses and stacks of corn, &c. and 
fastening caps besmeared with pitch upon 
their heads. They were preparing to burn a 
house of this description in the village of 
Ferns : and the same Friend, feeling pity for 
the man's wife and children, who would thus 
be deprived of an habitation, was induced to 

*Those who opposed the Insurgents were sometimes 

called Loyalists, Orangemen, Protestants, Yeomen.— 

The Insurgents were also termed Pikemen, United Irish- 

#men, Rebels, and sometimes they were even termed Ro- 

\ man Catholics, as chiefly consisting of that class, at least 

♦ in the south of Ireland. 



7*2 He intercedes for a poor 

intercede with the commanding officer of the 
militia in their behalf; stating that he did not 
come to intermeddle between him and the sus- 
pected man : but, pitying the poor wife and 
children, he thought it would be hard treat- 
ment to deprive them of shelter and the means 
of subsistence, when the man was fully in his 
power, adding " though he might be criminal, 
probably they were innocent of his crime." 
During this expostulation, the officer became 
very, warm in his temper, and charged the 
Quakers with meddling, in some cases, to pre- 
vent the execution of justice, when, in others, 
they would give no assistance to the govern- 
ment. 

A short time after this, when the United 
Irishmen got the ascendancy in the town, this 
Friend was enabled to render the officer some 
important services; and, from the grateful ac- 
knowledgments expressed by the latter in re- 
turn, he had the satisfaction of thinking, that 
the prejudice of the officer was not only re- 
moved, but exchanged for a feeling of friend- 
ship. This occurrence afforded an interesting 
example of the blessed fruits of a peaceble con- 
duct : the same individual using his influence 
alternately with both parties whilst in power — 
an influence which nothing but an undeviating* 
course of benevolence towards all his fellow 



Family with the Commander . 73 

creatures could give him — to intercede for the 
depressed and afflicted. 

On another occasion, the militia were prepar- 
ing to hang some suspected persons, for not de- 
livering up their weapons, and to fasten pitch 
caps on the heads of others. The Friend was 
fearful of heing applied to for ropes, which he 
had for sale, as he could not he easy to sell them 
for that purpose; and yet he saw that refusal 
might involve him in some danger, as martial 
law had heen proclaimed, and life and property 
were subjected to military discretion. How- 
ever, when some of the military came to buy 
ropes and linen, he had the courage to refuse to 
sell what was intended to torment or destroy a 
fellow-creature. The articles were accordingly 
taken by force; and though payment was offer- 
ed, he refused it. 

This occurrence took place a little before the 
general rising of the United Irishmen, in that 
part of the country, and he had reason to believe 
that under the direction of Providence, it con- 
tributed to the preservation of himself and his 
family at that juncture. 

For, the Rebels having received information 
that he refused to sell ropes to the military, for 
the purpose of hanging them, and pitch to put 
on the caps to torment them, placed a sentry at 
his door, the day they entered the town, to pro*- 
tect his house from destruction. And a short 



74 Eve of the Insurrection. 

time, after this, when the army was approach- 
ing, and the United men were about to fly from 
the place, some of the latter told him that, when 
the soldiers entered, they would consider eve- 
ry house that was not damaged, as belonging 
to a Rebel or disaffected person ; and, in order 
to preserve his house from destruction by the 
military, and probably to save the lives of the 
inhabitants, they would break the windows be- 
fore they took leave of him. which they accord- 
ingly did, and his house was not attacked by 
the soldiers. — This fact, however, is a little out 
of place. 

To return therefore to the order of events, 
the same Friend observing that on the eve of 
the insurrection a melancholy silence prevailed, 
he inquired of a person if there was any thing 
more than usual in prospect, and was told 
that the country people were collecting in large 
bodies. At this intelligence, a cloud of dark- 
ness, as he described it, overspread his mind, 
and he was brought to a state of unutterable 
distress. He knew, indeed, that he had en- 
deavored to place his dependence on an Al- 
mighty Protector. But the feelings natural 
to every human being possessed of a Christian, 
peaceable disposition, at the prospect of the 
gulf that was opening to thousands of his mis- 
guided fellow-creatures, of the ruin and deso- 
lation about to fall upon his country, and of 



Eve of the Insurrection. 75 

imminent danger to himself and his family, 
produced for some hours a conflict, of which 
he found it impossible to convey an adequate 
idea, and almost beyond what he seemed able 
to endure. 

At midnight the town was filled with con- 
sternation : guards and divisions of the army 
were placed in different quarters ; and the 
protestant inhabitants were in continual ter- 
ror. 

He prevailed upon his family to retire to bed; 
but they could not sleep; yet they endeavored 
to attain that solemn retirement of soul, in 
which ifr is best prepared to meet the calama- 
ties of life, and to rely on the mercy and power 
of Omnipotence. 

Early in the morning, while he was in much 
anxiety as to the event, a person whom he sup- 
posed to be one of the United Irishmen, came 
into the house and said, u Let who may be kill- 
ed, the Quakers will be spared." These words, 
trifling as they might appear, seemed to him ? at 
the time, like the intimation given to Gideon, 
when he was listening to the man in the Mid- 
ianites' camp, telling his dream to his fellow; 
which tended to dissipate his fears, and to fix 
his confidence. Me then felt his mind some- 
what encouraged to hope that their lives would 
be preserved. 

On that morning, the scene was very awful*. 



76 Insurrection began. 

— the houses and haggards of corn were in 
flames in every direction around them, some 
being set on fire by the yeomanry, and others 
by their enemies ; so that between the two 
parties, total devastation seemed to be at hand; 
— the protestant inhabitants were fleeing into 
the towns and villages for safety, and the mili- 
tary guards under arms in all quarters, — per- 
sons flying into town, having escaped from the 
hands of murderers in the country; some of 
them wounded, and bringing the newsofoth- 
ers that were slain. Property was then of lit- 
tle account; for it was every one's concern to 
escape with his life. 

Being informed that some of the fugitive pro- 
testants were exceedingly in want of something 
to eat, the same Friend had victuals prepared, 
and sent to invite them to allay their hunger; 
but it so happened that none of them came to 
avail themselves of his benevolence. 

The scene now became changed, though the 
prospect was still gloomy. For in the evening 
the military left the town and marched to Ennis- 
corthy; and, together with the army, not only 
the protectants who came into Ferns for safety, 
but those who resided in the village. 

He was not aware 0/ their departure till he 
observed that the place was almost depopu- 
lated. A state of things so opposite, though 
it was accompanied with marks of desolation 



The Insurgents enter Ferns. 11 

gave however, a little time to contrast the 
quiet of peace with the alarms of war; and 
though short, this interval of calm was looked 
upon as a favor. 

But in regard to the issue, his mind was still 
occupied with painful suspense, which contin- 
ued till the next morning, when the town and 
neighborhood became filled with an undisci- 
plined and ungovernable multitude, consisting 
of many thousands of the United Irishmen, fol- 
lowing the footsteps of the army to Enniscorthy, 
and demolishing the houses of those called Loy- 
alists and Orangemen ; for their owners were 
fled. 

His house was soon filled with these people : 
when to his astonishment and humbling ad- 
miration, instead of the massacre he and his 
family had dreaded, they were met by caresses 
and marks of friendship ; the Insurgents de- 
claring that they intended them no injury, but 
would fight for them, and protect them, and 
put them in their bosoms ; adding, that they 
required nothing but provisions. They seemed, 
indeed, to be in extreme want of something to 
eat ; and the victuals ichich had been prepared 
for those they called enemies, locre now ready for 
them : when they had therefore consumed what 
was provided, they proceeded on their rout to 
Enniscorthy. 

Soon after, in the direction of this town; 



73 He is threatened with Death y 

which was about six miles distant, the columns 
of smoke could be seen rising from the burn- 
ing houses ; and in the evening some of the 
United men returned, with tidings that En- 
niscorthy was in their possession, and that 
their camp was fixed on Vinegar-hill, over the 
town. 

The next day, a man with a malicious expres- 
sion of countenance, and having a long spit in 
his hand, came to the Friend, and threatened to 
kill him for some alleged offence, saying, u I 
have killed Turner/' (meaning a neighboring 
magistrate,) " and have burned him in his own 
house, and now I will rack* you as I please." 
He endeavored to convince the man of his mis- 
take ; and being joined by the persuasions of 
a neighbor, with much difficulty prevailed upon 
him to be quiet, so that at length he parted in 
friendship. 

The day after Enniscoi thy was taken by the 
Insurgents, several of the poor distressed Pro- 
testants, mostly women, returned homeward to 
the village, which they had deserted when the 
army left it. Two females, servants to the 
Bishop of Ferns, and a woman whose husband 
was killed the. day before, came with the chil- 
dren of the latter, to the Friend's door, as per- 

The term Rack was in common use during the Re- 
bellion, to denote the entire demolition of the interior 

of the houses of those who were considered enemies. 



Ingratitude of a Farmer. "4O 

soas that had no dwelling-place. They stood in 
the street, looking up and down in all the elo- 
quence of silent distress. Though he had but 
small accommodation, his heart and his house 
were both open to the afflicted: and, notwith- 
standing the severe threatenings he received 
from the then ruling party, for entertaining those 
to whom they were hostile, he and his family en- 
deavored to accommodate all they could, with- 
out distinction. Even of the United Irishmen, 
such as staid in the town, and as many of 
their wives and families as could find room, 
used to come to his house at night to lodge, 
supposing themselves more secure than in their 
own habitation. 

This was also the case in the houses of most 
other members of the Society, in any way ex- 
posed to the contending parties. And in such 
a state of anarchy, when all laws were disre- 
garded, and every man acted according to his 
own will, however perverse, it was not sur- 
prising that instances of ingratitude should 
now and then appear: one of these may be 
mentioned:— Previously to the breaking out of 
the rebellion, the military had destroyed the 
habitation and property of a neighboring far- 
mer, who, with his family, sought shelter at the 
house of another member of the Society near 
Ferns. He provided them with one of his 
out-houses to live in, until they could better 



80 Friends furnish Provisions. 

their condition. But when their party got the 
ascendancy, the farmer took possession of his 
protector's dwelling-house, and manifested his 
intention of turning him and his family out of 
it ; and probably would have carried it into ex- 
ecution, had not the short duration of the United 
Irishmen's power prevented this ungrateful de- 
termination. 

It may be noticed that during the continuance 
of the struggle, the houses of Friends appeared 
to be marked out for places of entertainment. 
■ — They were almost constantly full, day and 
night: and it was matter of surprise that their 
provisions held out as they did to the end 
of the conflict. The members of the Soci- 
ety, and some of the then oppressed party, 
sometimes conveyed provisions to one another 
privately. The United men sometimes offered 
part of their own stock ; but when it was 
known to be plunder, or, as it was called, the 
spoils of war, the Friends declined to accept 
it; and it was evident that such refusal was 
mostly taken in the light of an offence. Indeed, 
the United men often discovered their chagrin, 
because they could not prevail upon the mem- 
bers of the Society to unite with them in their 
requisitions. 

From the number of United men who came 
to lodge almost every night in the Friends' 
houses, these were in continual danger of fall- 



Fortitude of Friends. 3 1 

ing a prey to the king's army, if it should 
make an attack on the town: and on the other 
hand, the Friends were continually threatened 
by the Pike-men for not turning out the poor 
fugitive Protestant women and their children 
who had taken shelter under their roofs. But 
although they appeared to be in danger, ac- 
cording to human apprehension, from both 
parties, they were in fact alternately protected 
by both. 

The Friend above mentioned, who was 
nearly dispossessed by the ungrateful farmer, 
being, at one time, much threatened for not 
complying in this respect, very candidly told 
the men who threatened him, that he would not 
turn out poor distressed creatures from his house, 
whatever might be the consequence, and see- 
ing his firmness, they did not enforce com- 
pliance, although they expressed great dissatis- 
faction. 

Some of them came also one morning to the 
other Friend, and told him his house was to be 
burned that day, in consequence of his refusal 
to turn out the Protestant women that were in 
it. He replied, that, u u they did so, he could 
not help it; but that as long as he had a house, 
he would keep it open to succor the distressed; 
and, if they burned it for that reason, he must 
only turn out along with them and share in their 
affliction." 



82 Firmness of Friends when threatened. 

It so happened that this was the regular day 
on which the Meeting for Worship of the Soci- 
ety, in that quarter was to he held, about a mile 
from Ferns; and, notwithstanding the alarm- 
ing denunciation, he considered it his duty to 
take his family with him to Meeting, leaving 
his home with a heavy heart, as he expected 
soon to be without an habitation, as well as the 
means of present support. On his return to 
Ferns, however, he was rejoiced to see his 
dwelling entire ; and his heart was filled with 
praises and thankfulness to the good Providence 
that had preserved it. Whatever might have 
been the reason that prevented them from exe- 
cuting the threat, their evil disposition towards 
him on that account seemed to be changed ; for 
they did not make any requisition of the kind 
afterwards. 

Throughout the calamity, it was his uniform 
experience, that the more he attended to what 
he conceived to be right in his own conduct, the 
more beseemed to be respected by them; even 
when he expostulated with them on account of 
the cruelties committed by their party, as at 
Vinegar-hill, W r exford, and Scull abogue. They 
quietly listened to his remonstrance and fre- 
quently acknowledged the wrong. 

A party of the king's army stationed in New- 
town-barry, came to Ferns to disperse the 
United Irishmen who held possession of the 



The Friend of Ferns in imminent Danger. 83 

place. The latter at first made some demon- 
strations as if they would risk a battle; but 
seeing that the regular troops opposed to them 
were provided with cannon, they fled away 
from the town. On hearing that the army 
were coming in, the Friend stood at his own 
door, least he should be suspected of being an 
enemy. When the military came near his door, 
one of the soldiers, stepping out of the ranks, 
presented a gun at his breast, and was on the 
point of drawing the trigger, when the Friend 
called to him, Ci Desist from murder?* The 
soldier, like one struck with amazement, imme- 
diately let the gun fall from his shoulder; and 
presently his officers interfered for the Friend's 
protection: whose life was thus preserved ; as on 
the right hand and on the left. 

Some of the inhabitants of this village, who 
were found unarmed in the houses, being 
made prisoners by the soldiers, they pleaded 
their innocence; but in such a state of things, 
they could not easily prove it. The command- 
ing officer therefore desired, that if there were 
any Quakers in the town, they would get certifi- 
cates of good behavior from them; which, be ad- 
ded, he would be willing to accept, and then to 
liberate them, The same Friend was according- 
ly applied to on behalf of several, and procur- 
ed their liberation. Had he been put to death 
by the hand of the hasty soldier, it is easy to 



84 Soldier's Confidence in a Friend. 

see that those who obtained their release af- 
terwards by his means, would probably have 
shared the same fate, for want of credible tes- 
timonials; and thus one sacrifice would have 
been added to another, and Death would have 
multiplied its victims, without any regard to 
their innocence. Thus it is when violence is 
permitted to reign; and thus it would be on 
every occasion, if there were not an over-ruling 
Providence, to say to the peaceful sufferer in 
his wrongs — " It is enough;" and to the proud 
oppressor in his fury — " Thus far shalt thou 
go." 

A friend of Enniscorthy informed an ac- 
quaintance, that on the day when the town 
was taken frpm the rebels by the army, he was 
in great distress, thinking it the most critical 
and dangerous time of the whole; for he sup- 
posed, that on the entrance of the soldiers, 
they would consider that e\ery man whom they 
found alive in colored clothes, was a rebel, 
and consequently would put him to death. As 
he was walking up and down one of the upper 
street-rooms of his house, he heard voices in 
the street, and, looking out, saw some soldiers 
carrying a wounded man, (supposed to be an 
officer,) and seeking for a place of safety in 
which to deposit their charge. The Friend, open- 
ing the window, told them they might bring him 
into his house. On hearing his voice, one of 



- 



_ 



gives Protection to his House. 85 

them looked up, and seeing the Friend, exclaim- 
ed, " That is a Quaker, we may safely go in 
there ;" which they did with their wounded com- 
rade ; and when the main body of the army en- 
tered, seeing soldiers in the house, they went in 
without fear, and without injuring the place. — 
One of the Generals took up his quarters for 
some time in the house. 



CHAPTER III. 

OF THE DAXGERS TO WHICH THE SOCIETY WAS 
EXPOSED IN THE ATTENDANCE OF THEIR 
MEETINGS. 



The events which have just been noticed, ag 
far as they relate to the Society of Friends, may 
be considered rather of a domestic nature, con- 
cerning only two or three families. It may nowj 
therefore, be proper to say a few words as to 
the situation of its members in the qnarter 
where the Individual, so often alluded to, 
resided, viz. in the county of Wexford, with 
respect to the performance of their religious 
duties. In this part of the country, notwith- 
standing some of the members of the same 
Meeting were several miles distant from each 
other, they did not suffer their perplexities at 
home to interfere with the sacred duty of relig- 
ious worship abroad, or to prevent them from 
traversing the country, filled with armed men, 
amidst dangers, if possible, still greater than 
those they had left, in order that they might 
assemble together for this solemn purpose. — 
Consequently, in going to and returning from. 



Friends attend their Meetings. 8 7 

their meetings, they had to encounter many 
difficulties, besides the struggle between their 
faith and their natural fears, in leaving their 
houses and property a prey perhaps to pillage, 
or to the flames, during their absence. Hu- 
man prudence, it is likely, would have induced 
them, in such an awful extremity, to remain at 
home, and to look after their outward affairs; 
but the sense of what they owed to their Maker, 
and to the Society of which they were members, 
in many instances, overbalanced these selfish 
considerations; and, it appears, that in most 
cases they left behind them a better guardian 
than human prudence. 

Most of the horses being taken from them, 
the members of that particular Meeting had 
frequently to walk to their place of worship. — 
The first time they did so, some of them met a 
man of terrible character, who had killed a 
neighbor in Ferns a day or two before. He 
was, however, friendly in his behavior to them, 
and even offered to have them carried to their 
Meeting. But, though they acknowledged his 
civility, they did not accept his offer, pursuing 
their journey on foot six Irish miles. 

Parties of these people often met with the 
Friends going to and returning from their fleet- 
ing, and they were sometimes very inquisitive to 
know whence they came and whither they were 
going; but none, of them offered any molesta- 



88 Some are threatened 

tion, except at one time, when several Friends 
were passing to Meeting through Camolin, a 
village not far from Ferns, with a horse belong- 
ing to one, and a jaunting-car to another. A 
great number of United men being in the street, 
and conversing about the Society, one of them 
said, " it was the last time the Quakers should 
ever go that road." After the latter had passed 
the crowd, a shot was fired, apparently to alarm 
them. The horse took fright and broke the 
traces, an inconvenience they remedied as 
well as they were able, and afterwards pro- 
ceeded qriretly to their meeting-place. It was 
a remarkable circumstance that before the 
next meeting-day came round in regular course^ 
the power of these misguided men was over- 
thrown. 

In other parts of the county of Wexford 
some of the members of the Society, having 
been observed by the United men to perse- 
vere in attending their place of religious wor- 
ship, notwithstanding the threats and opposi- 
tion they experienced, became objects of this 
party's displeasure, and were apprised, that if 
they persisted, they should be taken to the 
Altar of a neighboring Chapel, and suffer 
the penalty of their obstinacy. One family, 
in particular, received notice, that, unless they 
gave up the attendance of Meetings, and unit- 
ed in the Roman Catholic forms of worship, 







with Death In Consequence. 89 

should individually be put to death, and their 
houses should be burned. 

As the following was to be the day of public 
worship, the heads of the family were brought 
under deep mental exercise, accompanied with 
fervent prayers that they might be enabled to 
come to a right determination in this conflict 
between their religious duty on one side, and 
apprehensions for the safety of their family, on 
the other. 

On collecting the individuals together, with 
a degree of humble confidence that the best 
direction might be afforded, after a little solemn 
retirement, they laid the matter before their 
children. The noble and intrepid language of 
the eldest son, then aver)' young man, on this 
memorable occasion, is worthy of being record- 
ed: "Father," lie said "Rejoice, that we are 
found worthy to suffer." His parents were 
much affected and their minds so much strength- 
ened in consequence, that they immediately con- 
cluded to attend their Meeting the next day. 
In the morning, they proceeded to their place 
of worship accordingly, without seeking to avoid 
the armed Insurgents by going through the 
fields; but, keeping the public high' road, they 
were permitted to accomplish their purpose in 
safety : and expressed the satisfaction they felt 
in having thus fulfilled what they considered to 
be their duty. They were not then apprised of 
h3 



90 Family at Taghmoft. 

the circumstance, which had in the mean while 
occurred, viz. that the king's army had entered 
into that part of the country : and it so discon- 
certed the plans of the Insurgents, that they 
were prevented from carrying their wicked de- 
signs into execution. 

Another large and respectable family of the 
Society, living about one mile from the last-* 
mentioned, though they were often threaten- 
ed and advised by a Priest and others to stay 
at home for some time, or at least to go by 
some private way, did not feel that it would 
be right for them to go to Meeting by any 
other than the usual way, along the high road, 
through the town of Taghmon, which was in- 
habited almost entirely by persons supposed 
to be friendly to the United Irishmen, and 
therefore unfriendly to them, Some of these 
were heard to say of the Friends : " They 
even dare us by going through the streets, but 
they shall not go long;" and they used many 
threats, both by words and actions, to intimi'-* 
date the family. The young women, wh<y 
were delicately brought up, sometimes walk- 1 
ed to and from the Meeting- place at Forrest^ 
about four Irish miles distant, without any male 
attendant, and experienced no molestation, 
even in the very height of the commotions ; 
their parents, from the infirmities of advanced 
age, being unable to accompany them. On 



Ttvo Families are particularly tried. 91 

one of these occasions, having been more thari 
usually threatened, they remarked that a strange 
dog, which they could not recollect to have ever 
seen before, followed or rather accompanied 
thern home, as an escort for some miles; and, on 
seeing them safe to the house, which he could 
not be prevailed upon to enter, left them. This 
might have been only an accidental occurrence, 
but it engaged their attention at the time; and, 
though simple in itself, may now prove nothing 
more than that their minds were not resting up- 
on human help. 

Among the various menaces that were used 
to alarm the Society, some of the United Irish- 
men spoke u of converting the Quaker Meet- 
ing-House at Forrest into a Romish Chapel:" 
and two boys were heard to say that u they 
would burn the Quakers in their place of wor- 
ship the next meeting day. 51 ' A member of 
that Meeting residing near, was also informed 
that the Meeting-House should be burned ; 
and that he and his large family should be des- 
troyed, if he attempted to go there again; and 
in "order to intimidate him the more, a blun- 
derbuss was presented at him. Another Friend 
was also told by a woman, that she heard sev- 
eral persons declare, on the very day the Reb- 
els were driven out of thei* camp near Ross, 
il that the Quakers should never meet again 
at their Meeting-House in Forrest." Thus it 



92 Many Others threatened; 

appears that the same threat was held but to' 
many families. 

It is worthy, however, of riotice, that not- 
withstanding individuals and whole families 
were thus threatened, in different places, few 
were deterred from the steady pursuit 6f what 
they considered to be the path of religious duty: 
and the fact is to be recorded, as a monu- 
ment, not to their praise, but to the mercy of 
that Providence, which watches over the weak- 
est of his children who trust in him, that all the' 
machinations and evil designs of their enemies* 
in this as in other instances, were signally con- 
founded; for on the very morning of the next 
Meeting-day at Forrest, when so many were 
to be devoted to destruction, and their houses 
to the flames, the power of the United Irish- 
men was overthrown by a decisive battle near 
Vinegar-hill. Accordingly, about the time 
appointed for public worship, when the Friends 
met together as usual, numbers of these misguid- 
ed people, who had been calculating on the 
possession of power to effect their own cruel 
ends — a power they seemed incapable of using 
but for the degradation and misery of their fel- 
low-creatures — instead of carrying their designs 
into execution, which were there no outward 
means at the time in that part to prevent, were 
actually assembled about the door and windows 
of the Meeting House, and as a building doomed 



^_^_ 



Friends of other Meetings menaced. 93 

with its inmates to destruction, but as a place of 
safety to themselves ; and they remained there 
till the meeting concluded, and the Friends had 
withdrawn. 

It is not to be supposed that Forrest was the 
only Meeting where such circumstances occur- 
red — of malignant threats appalling to human na- 
ture, on one side, and of unshaken firmness in the 
support of religious testimonies on the other. — 
The members of Cooladine and Enniscorthy 
Meetings, in the same county, were placed 
nearly in the same predicament with those of 
Forrest. They were threatened; and although 
some of them had to lament the loss of their prop- 
erty and the destruction even of their houses, in 
the indiscriminate devastation, yet the threats of 
personal violence to them were found to be impo- 
tent, and their lives were providentially pre- 
served. 

The United men told a Friend of Cooladine, 
that, il if the Quakers ever attempted to meet 
again in the Meeting-house there, it should be 
burned. " 

When the town of Enniscorthy was in pos- 
session of the Rebels, the time of holding the 
Monthly Meeting there had arrived; and differ- 
ent members of the particular meetings compos- 
ing it, except Ross, which was then in a state of 
siege, prepared to attend it. Some came from 
Ferns, Cooladine, and Balanclay. Although 



94 Evil Designs prevented 

their horses were taken from some Friends ori 
the road by patroles from the Rebel camp at 
Vinegar-hill, they were not themselves pre- 
vented from pursuing their journey on foot 
many miles ; and they entered Enniscorthy, 
scarcely knowing whether they would be per-* 
mitted to go to their meeting-house or not, and 
almost doubting whether they should find 
it standing. They were, however, enabled 
to hold their meeting for worship ; but were 
much interrupted by persons walking and mak- 
ing a noise in a loft or gallery adjoining, 
who after a while went away. It appeared 
that these persons came with a malicious de- 
sign, but they were prevented from carrying 
it into execution. A large hole was observ- 
ed to have been broken in the ceiling, which, 
the Friends were told, was made for the pur- 
pose of setting the house more readily on fire, 
but that others of the party interfered to pre- 
vent it. 

Soon after this Monthly Meeting of Ennis- 
corthy, the Quarterly Meeting for Leister 
Province was to be held, in clue course, in the 
same town. As the time approached, it seem- 
ed almost impossible, from the appearance of 
things, that it could be accomplished. Yet 
many individuals, some from distant pJaces, 
acting in faith . and simplicity of heart, left 
their homes to attend it ; and the way was grad* 



in other Meetings also. 95 

lially opened before them. The outward aspect 
of affairs at the time was, indeed, changed : for 
the united Men had only recently been defeat- 
ed with great slaughter, and their camp was 
broken up. xlccordingly, several Friends had 
to pass through heaps of slain on the road, and 
in some instances were obliged to remove the 
dead bodies of the Rebels out of the way, that 
they might not trample on them, to the wonder 
of the spectators ; some of whom exclaimed — 
" The Quakers must be mad." 

It may therefore be noticed, that in the neigh- 
borhood of Cooladine Meeting, the camp of 
Venegar-hill, a mile distant, was broken up by 
the battle which took place there, the day 
before their week-meeting occurred ; and so 
the way seemed to be opened not only for the 
attendance of that meeting, but of Leister Quar- 
terly Meeting at Enniseorthy, the day follow- 
ing. 

At the latter, the members of the Society 
who attended, were comforted together, under 
an humbling sense of the Providential care they 
had so largely experienced ; and having had 
their meetings for worship, as well as that for 
regulating the affairs of the Society, in much 
quietness, they were favored to return to their 
respective habitations in safety. 



CHAPTER IV. 

OP THE TRIALS TO WHICH FRIENDS WERE EXPOS- 
ED FOR REFUSING TO CONFORM TO THE CERE- 
MONIES OF THE CHURCH OF ROME. 



A Friend of Enniscorthy Meeting, residing 
a few miles from the town, was made prisoner 
at his own house, and taken by a number of 
Pikemen to the house, of a neighboring Priest, 
with whom he was intimately acquainted. The 
Priest told him, that he must become a Ro- 
man Catholic, and be christened ; for that no 
other profession of religion was now to be 
allowed. At this the Friend was greatly sur- 
prised, and said, he had a better opinion of the 
Priest than to suppose he would force men to 
make a profession of religion in opposition to 
their consciences. The Priest replied, u there 
was no alternative, either to become a Roman 
Catholic, or to be put to death." The Friend 
remarked that, " by so doing, they would be 
only making hypocrites of such as might be 
induced to comply ; and, for his part, that he 
would choose to suffer, rather than to violate 



A Friend taken to the Rebel Camp. 97 

his conscience ; that if there was any crime 
laid to his charge, he was willing to be tried, 
and on that ground was not afraid to look any 
of them in the face.' 3 The Priest, who had 
every thing ready for baptizing, according to 
their mode, seemed much disappointed, and 
brought him out to the Pikemen, to be taken to 
Vinegar-hill. The Friend again expostulated 
with the Priest and Pikemen together, urging 
if there was anything worthy of death laid to 
his charge, he was willing to undergo a trial. 
The Pikemen, although they seemed much dis- 
pleased that he would not become a Roman 
Catholic, acknowledged the justness of his pro- 
posal, and in obedience to the Priest, conveyed 
him to their camp. 

A few other Friends were also made prison- 
ers, from different parts of the country, and 
were taken to the camp at Vinegar-hill, where 
they underwent a sort of trial ; but nothing 
being alleged against them, they were set at 
liberty. Their liberation was not a little re- 
markable, as many other persons were put to 
death, against whom no charge of enmity was 
brought, nor any ground of accusation, except 
that they were Protestants. 

A Friend from Ulster, then on a religious 

service, in that part of the country, was taken 

prisoner and brought to the camp; and at the 

time the Rebel army was performing the ser- 

i 



93 They seel' to convert, and threaten 

vice of Mass, as he could not take any part in 
their form of worship, they suffered him to re- 
main standing alone, with his head covered, 
while they were on their knees, during the cer- 
emony. 

Many were the instances in which, in some 
parts of the country, a dark and persecuting 
spirit displayed itself during the Rebellion. 

An elderly Friend, the father of a large fam- 
ily, who was in a declining state of health, and 
whose daughters used to go alone to their Meet- 
ing at Forrest, as mentioned in page 90, was 
one, who, from the respectability of his char- 
acter and his influence in the country, was mark- 
ed by the Insurgents and their leaders, as a de- 
sirable object of their proselytism, in this reign 
of terror. For, as they were decidedly unwil- 
ling to take the lives of the Friends, their object 
was to convert them, by entreaties or menaces, 
to their faith. 

In the case of this Friend, they labored at 
it very assiduously ; for if, by any means, his 
conversion could have been accomplished, it 
is certain that they would have regarded it as 
a signal triumph. He was urged and threat- 
ened; but when the attempt became hopeless, 
one of the Priests told some of the Insurgents, 
after inquiring, u had they not killed him yet," 
that i( they could not go forward until they had 
dispatched the old many One night, about 



with Death an ancient Friend. 99 

twelve o'clock, a number of them entered bis 
house, and, when they had plundered it of 
what they wished, they snapped a pistol at 
him several times, seeming to be determined 
to take his life. After some consideration they 
then insisted upon his going with them to 
their main-guard, which was stationed at a 
distance. He made an effort to go with them, 
accompanied by one of his daughters ; but, 
feeling much weakness, and finding himself 
unable to proceed, lie sat down under a tree 
in his own lawn. After a pause, which they 
did not seem to understand, they inquirecl, 
u what he had to say?" His reply was, that 
u shotrid they be permitted to take his life, he 
hoped the Almighty might be pleased to for- 
give them, and to take him in his mercy." 
Upon this, they were silent, left him and went 
quietly away. 

A kinsman of this Friend, living in the coun- 
try not far from him, had also a large fami- 
ly, which was exposed to much danger dur- 
ing the disturbances. As many of the United 
Men lodged in the house, his children were 
obliged to attend upon them, supply them with 
food, and do many menial offices; for the ser- 
vants, being generally of that party, were in- 
different about their work, calculating that all 
the property would be their own, and that 
they themselves would soon be masters and 



100 A Kinsman of the same also threatened. 

mistresses. An old woman who had been a 
nurse in the family, gave them much trouble 
with her frequent importunities, consisting of 
entreaties, threats and pretended zeal for their 
welfare, and the cause of religion; from time 
to time urging them to conform to the Catholic 
mode of worship, as the only thing that could 
save their lives, or give them hopes of future 
happiness. On one occasion, after the family 
had been told, that they should all be murder- 
ed unless they became Roman Catholics, she 
fell on her knees in the parlor, in a posture 
of supplication to the Deity to convert their 
hearts: but her mistress, being favored with 
remarkable firmness at the time, reproved her 
sharply, notwithstanding the imminent danger 
of the family. Large parties of the Insurgents, 
armed with guns and pikes, came, several 
times, to the house of this Friend, which was 
situated but a few miles from the noted barn 
of Scullabogue, where a number of Protes- 
tants, men, women, and children, were col- 
lected from the neighboring country and burn- 
ed to death. At one time, they came to take 
away the cattle from the farm, for the pur- 
pose of supplying their cam;) ; but, being 
informed that the cattle had been latefy taken 
for tythes, they desisted from violence at that 
tirn<e. Some of them came again and took 
their horses. Three several times, parties 



Hesitation of the Rebels. 101 

came, apparently with the premeditated de- 
sign of murdering the whole family ; once, 
threatening, that if they did not conform to 
the Popish ceremony of the Mass the follow- 
ing day, they should he killed, or be burnt in 
the house next evening. This occurred the 
day after the massacre at Sculiabogue. Ac- 
cording to their determination, the women came 
on purpose to plunder the house as soon as 
the projected murder had taken place, the men 
who were to perpetrate the deed being then 
assembled in if. Some of them were heard 
to say to their comrades, <c Why don't ? you 
begin?" to which it was replied, " We will 
shortly.'' But, being prevented by a power 
they knew not, still they deferred the execu- 
tion. So that, when they were again asked, 
" Why they did not begin the work," their 
leaders said, u We will come another time" — 
In so remarkable a manner were they restrain- 
ed, that they even expressed surprise to each 
other, how it should happen, that they were 
prevented from accomplishing their purpose, 
seeing the law was then entirely in their own 
hands. ' Their bloody design was evidently 
over-ruled ; and, after venting their rage in 
damaging the furniture, as, for instance, by 
striking their pikes at the dial-plate of the 
clock, the windows, and some of the kitchen 
utensils, they went awav. imootently threat- 
i2 



102 Instance of Preservation, 

erring at last, that they would take the eldest 
son with them.* Even this threat they did 
not execute. 

A female Friend, being desired by a Roman 
Catholic clergyman to put up the sign of the 
Cross, which was worn by the party at that 
time, replied, that 6l she could not do it, but 
hoped the Almighty might be pleased to enable 
her to bear it." On this he did not urge her 
any farther. 

An elderly Friend of some opulence, who 
eame to reside in England soon after the dis- 
turbances, with a constitution much debilitat- 
ed by the hardships and persecutions he had 
suffered during the Rebellion, on two occa- 
sions had to experience signal preservation: — 
His house, which was situated in rather a lone- 
ly part of the country, was ransacked and strip- 
ped of every thing valuable by a party of the 
Insurgents. Some hours after the depredation, 
another party entered for the same purpose ; 
and the Captain, after demanding the property, 
either discrediting the Friend's simple state- 
ment of what had already occurred, or irritated 
at the disappointment, raised his sword to 
murder the venerable man, when his wife 

This was the young man who had manifested such 
resolution, when the family was threatened with death 
if they persisted in going to their Meeting-place at For- 
rest. See rmge 89. 



Instance of Preservation. 103 

rising from her seat, with much emotion and 
firmness exclaimed, '* Thou canst not touch a 
hair of my husband's head, unless Divine Pro- 
vidence permit thee." The man was so struck 
by her Christian fortitude, that he let the 
sword drop from his hand ; and, stooping to 
pick it up without uttering a word, he turned 
away and quietly withdrew his men. On ano- 
ther occasion, several of the United Irishmen 
entered his house and insisted that he should 
undergo the ceremony of Baptism, according 
to the form of the Romish Church. As he 
refused it, they behaved very roughly* but left 
him with the determination, as they said, of 
coming again in a few days ; and, if he then 
refused, they would certainly hang him. Ac- 
cording to their promise, they came again, and 
endeavored, by arguments and threats, to 
prevail upon him to be baptized; but in vain. 
They then said, they certainly would hang 
him; but some trifling matter occurring among 
themselves, the execution of their design was 
deferred at that time also, and they left him. 
In a few days they returned again, and he was 
told that they had now resolved to hang him 
befo*e they left the house, if he did not agree 
to be baptized : and they actually fastened a 
rope round his neck and took him to an out- 
house, where there was a beam, and were in 
the act of tying him up to the beam, when an 



104 Confession of a Servant Girt. 

alarm was given, that a party of soldiers was 
coming, which made them run away: so that 
his life was providentially saved. 

A Friend, living in a retired part of the 
county of Waterford, had a large family of 
young children, and kept several servants. — 
A little before the battle of Ross, two of the 
nursery-maids, Roman Catholics, left the house. 
This circumstance gave some alarm to the 
family, which was, however, mitigated in de- 
gree by their return after the battle, in which 
the United Irishmen were defeated. The mis- 
tress interrogated the elder of the servants 
respecting their reasons for thus leaving the 
family at a time and in a state of such distress; 
and represented their ingratitude, after having 
experienced so many marks of kindness from 
their master and mistress, during a period of 
some years' servitude. The girl acknowledged 
it all with many tears; but added, "Mistress, 
if you knew all, you would not condemn us." 
Some clays afterwards, her mistress spoke to 
her again, and requested her to be more expli- 
cit, because she did not understand what was 
meant by the words " If you knew all," &c. 
And upon urging the subject in a very kind 
manner, the servant burst into tears, and ac- 
knowledged that she and her fellow servant 
had been enjoined by an authority to which 
they were accustomed to yield implicit obe- 



Friends^ Danger from their Servants. 105 

dience, " if the battle of Ross was favorable 
to the Irish, to kill the young children ; and 
this," said she, " we could not do ; you had 
been like tender and kind parents to us, and 
the children we loved as our own ; and there- 
fore we determined to leave the house, never to 
return any more, if the battle should be favora- 
ble to the Irish." 

Some idea may be formed of the dangers 
with which the members of the Society were 
surrounded, when it is known, that, with few 
exceptions, their domestic servants, being Ro- 
man Catholics, were in secret league with the 
Insurgents, and daily anticipating the overthrow 
of civil and religious power, as well as an en- 
tire change of property in their own favor. 
Hence there was every sordid inducement, 
that could operate upon a dark and interested 
multitude, to destroy all who stood in their 
way. For they were led, perversely enough, 
to think, that the performance of a religious 
duty, or what they considered an act pleasing 
in the sight of God — the destruction of one 
differing in religious opinion — would coincide 
with their temporal interest. It is, however, 
to be noticed, that, in the South of Ireland, a 
great number of the Roman Catholics, in the 
better classes of society, were distinguished 
for their loyalty and good conduct ; whilst in 
the North, many who took an active part as 



106 Treachery of a Servant. 

leaders in fomenting the sedition, were by pro- 
fession, Protestants* It was chiefly a political 
struggle in the North, and religious more 
than political, in the South. Hence, the pro- 
bability is that had both classes been victori- 
ous against the lawful government, yet with 
such distinct and incompatible views, they 
would have soon turned their arms against 
each other. 

A servant maid, residing with a Friend in 
Enniscorthy, who had been instrumental in 
bringing about the murder of the male part of 
a Protestant family, with whom she had for- 
merly lived, having pointed out to some of the 
Pikemen such windows in the Friend's house, 
as, she supposed, they could fire from, with 
most effect, upon the king's troops, he said to 
her, (< I did not think thou wouldst serve me 
so." Upon which, she told her mistress, that 
their children would be fatherless before that 
time to-morrow. Her threats, however, prov- 
ed to be vain. 

" At length," says an eye-witress, who has 
recorded some of these events, " the time ap- 
proached when divine interposition was re- 

*Indeed some of the leaders in the South were Pro- 
testants, especially the Insurgent General who com- 
manded at the battle of Rose : and it is supposed that he 
was in some degree instrumental in restraining the cru- 
elty of those under him. 






Day fiicd for a general Massacre. 107 

markably conspicuous in this country ; nearly 
three weeks the rage of religious bigotry spread 
itself with fire and sword; and from every in- 
formation I could learn, and from concurring 
circumstances it appeared, ilie day teas fixed 
for a general massacre of every class who were 
not of the Romish Church. For, said they, 
often in my hearing, 'one Religion only shall be 
alio wcdS* 

i( But on the eve before that day, the king's 
army invested Yinegar-hill, and early in the 
morning a battle ensued, in which the United 
Irishmen were totally defeated and routed. — 
The king's army pursued them to Wexford, 
got immediate possession of the town and res- 
cued many of the poor victim Protestants from 
present death, and all who were not yet made 
prisoners, from the horrible massacre which 
was rapidly going forward." 

Some idea may be formed of the evils pro- 
duced by contention, even to those whose 
party may have got the ascendancy, when it is 

*" On that morning a standard or black flag was car- 
ried through the streets of Wexford, with M. W. S. in 
large letters inscribed thereon; the meaning supposed 
to be Murder Without Sin. The massacre of the Pro- 
testant prisoners was executing at Wexford, and did 
not discontinue until they (the Pikemen) fled from the 
king's army. It was said they were wading in their 
blood up to their ankles on the bridge of Wexford, 



108 Insurgents defeated. 

known that a considerable number of the Pro- 
testants, who had been taken to the camp of 
the 'Rebels at Vinegar-hill, as prisoners, were 
put to death by the victorious army, through 
ignorance, or through want of discrimination, 
in the heat of pursuit ; as every one in a col- 
ored coat was supposed to belong to the Insur- 
gents. 



CHAPTER V. 

TESTIMONIES OF FRIENDS FROM DIFFERENT PARTS, 
INCLUDING A NARRATIVE OF EVENTS AT BAL- 
LITORE, AND A FEW PARTICULARS OF THE 
BATTLES OF ROSS AND ANTRIM. 



The following interesting journal of the 
events that occurred in the village of Ballitore, 
was kept by a Friend residing there, who, at 
that time, had the care of a large establishment 
for the education of youth, chiefly of the Soci- 
ety : and it will be seen that he endeavored 
to steer a course of humanity and benevolence, 
which qualified him to interpose his good of- 
fices, with effect, on several occasions, for the 
preservation of those who were in imminent 
danger from their enemies. 

" 1798, 24th of 5th mo. 5th day, was the day 



Narrative of Event a at Ballitore. 109 

of the general rise of the people in the county 
of Kildare. The occasion of their rise may 
be attributed to the following causes. For a 
long time back the people of the country have 
shewn a disaffection to Government, particu- 
larly the Presbyterians in the north and the 
Romanists, almost universally. Against these 
latter the rulers seem particularly exasperated, 
because, they said, that having granted them 
every relaxation of the penal laws against Cath- 
olics, that could be conveniently allowed them, 
even to the endangering of the constitution, 
yet they were dissatisfied; and it began to be 
suspected, that, instead of a participation of 
rights with Protestants in this kingdom; they 
wanted to subvert the constitution, and have 
all to themselves. It was also thought and 
found from facts, that they were actually in 
league with the French, the avowed enemies 
to the constitution established; and that they 
looked for an invasion from them, to rise and 
join them, for the purpose of effecting their 
treasonable designs. Government therefore 
determined on coersive measures, that seeing 
they could not be won over, they might be 
forced or frightened into obedience. For this 
purpose, informers were employed amongst 
them, who many of them, betrayed innocent 
men, for whom they entertained a pique or 
enmity ; houses were searched for unlawful 

K 



110 Narrative of Events 

meetings, arms, and papers ; those informed 
against were severely whipped, and extorted 
confessions obtained : hence, a source of dis- 
tress, perfidy, and disaffection was opened: the 
minds of men exasperated against each other in 
the bitterest manner; hence, jealousies and cru- 
el retaliations of injuries, private assassinations, 
burning of houses, by each party ; the wine of 
resentment and revenge intoxicating even men 
of the soundest heads and fairest intentions. 
The soldiery, being harassed with incessant pur- 
suit of those wretches, thus excited by their cru- 
elties to repeated acts of outrage, were hardly 
restrained by their officers (when opportunity 
offered) from destroying the people with indis- 
criminate slaughter. 

c< In order to effect their purposes ofcoersion, 
the Government had fallen on a gradation of 
punishment : — First, putting soldiers on pri- 
vate houses, — Secondly, allowing them free 
quartets there, so that many poor people left 
their beds to the soldiers and lay upon straw. — 
Thirdly, burning their houses, on intimation of 
disaffection, or proof of concealed arms. — 
Fourthly, whipping, which was conducted with 
such severity, that many said they would pre- 
fer to be shot at once than to be thus torment- 
ed to death ; and many were actually taken out 
of their houses and put to immediate death. 

"Things were in this state at the time of the 



at Ballitore. Ill 

date above mentioned ; the government requir- 
ing the people to bring in concealed arms to en- 
title them to protection ; with which multitudes 
complied; but still many were concealed; when 
the alarm came to Colin Campbell, command- 
ing in the county of Kildare, and stationed at 
Athy, that on this day there would be a general 
rise. 

u In the night of the 23d, an express arrived 

to Captain C , of the Suffolk Fencibles, 

quartered at Ballitore, to be ready Jp- a mo- 
ment's warning to be under march ?with his 
men, and the militia also under hi3 command. — 

Thus our very agreeable E C left 

us to be exposed to popular resentment, to 
which he was by no means entitled, being pos- 
sessed of the most gentle, conciliatory dispo- 
sitions ; which led him often to deplore the 
situation he was plac(^|H*i, that the plundering 
of the disaffected (which they called forag- 
ing from them) should be acted under his 
directions.* 

" Large bodies of men now collected in differ- 
ent places, armed with pikes and pitchforks, 
with a few swords, muskets, and bayonets, 

*••' Foraging parties were dispersed through the coun- 
try ; and a hundred cars, laden with provisions (taken 
from the people) came one day into Ballitore. It was 
the scarce time of the year, before the new and old food; 
and this proceeding caused grsat distress." 



112 Narrative of Events 

some of which had been forced or stolen from 
the soldiery. The Insurgents waylaid the troops, 
and in some places killed a few of them; but be- 
came themselves at last the victims of slaughter; 

which was the case when C arrived at 

Kilcullen. 

(i It were in vain, as it is unimportant, to 
describe the flying engagements which took 
place in several places on this day. At Nar- 
ramore Wood, Lieut. Edie, of the Tyrone mi- 
litia, Ixa^* smart work, and was well nigh cut 
off by lyers in wait : multitudes were slain 
there by the Insurgents. The loyalist, who 
were in possession of the Court-house at Nar- 
ramore, took the Captain of the Insurgents 
prisoner; upon which the people set fire to all 
the houses there; and the property of John Jef- 
fers, a staunch man to the constitution, was there- 
by destroyed : then they'tecovered the Captain, 
and took some prisoners. When they were 
dislodged from Karramore Wood, the Insur- 
gents took the bog-road, and had an engage- 
ment with the military on march on the high 
road, when several men were slain of the coun- 
try people. 

u In the evening the Captain of the Insur- 
gents collected his forces of pike-men, &,c. in 
the plain between Narramore and Ballitore, 
to the number of two or three hundred, and 
marched them down to take possession of Bal- 



at Ballitore. 113 

litore, which was this morning evacuated by the 
soldiers. A. Shackleton, with his boys, from 
the top of Nine-tree hill, was witness to the aw- 
ful procession; not knowing to what lengths the 
popular transport might carry an exasperated 
people. So, letting them pass by, he held his 
little corps of infantry, (the char alarmed hoys) 
round by the back of the garden into the house; 
and about five o'clock, the Pike-men, with vari- 
ous descriptions of armor, entered his parlor, 
and found him sitting with his family and the 
dear boys, in awful quiet. They behaved with 
respect; but asked peremptorily for provisions, 
which we handed out to them, and they retir- 
ed. Our poor neighbors fearing pillage of pro- 
perty, now began to flock to our house; so, 
as my school was small, we had room to ac- 
commodate about one hundred persons, men, 
women, and children; who, day and night, col- 
lected up and down in our houses. The school- 
house, a large room, was given up to them; so 
that what with the people seeking an asylum 
and the men under arms, we had very little 
quiet, or scarcely any thing we could call our 
own. 

" Such were the important events of the 
24th ; important to us and to our little com- 
munity. Our minds were centered in Divine 
dependence. The canopy of preserving Pow- 
k2 



114 Narrative of Events 

er was evident to my feeling in this awful cri- 
sis. 

" 25th, Sixth-day morning. — Alarms often 
came of a military force. Our horses were 
taken to send expresses to explore the move- 
ments of the army; cur poor people being gen- 
erally too feeble to resist the shock of military 
discipline, though a few individuals of them were 
undaunted and fierce, from the memory of past 
injuries, or the expectation of future ones.-^— 
Some of these latter entered my house about 
six o'clock, A. M. with pistols, to bring me 
out, (as they said) to fight with them; asked me 
where was my pike; they ssw no reason, they 
said, that I should indulge in quiet, while they 
exposed themselves for the defence of my pro- 
perty, &c. &c. 

" So they took me out, and two honest men 

with me, 1. and T. B , then my guests, 

and said that we should stand in front of the 
battle; if we would not fight, we should stop a 
bullet. They took us beyond the bridge, to 
the side of the road; our people following us 
with their eyes, and tender affection: several 
neighbors, and faithful Mary Doyle, (an old 
nurse,) coming after, interceding for our re- 
turn. They said that I could not be spared 
from home, and from the care of so many of the 
poor, who had taken sanctuary in my house: 
jihat, as to my fellow-prisoners, they ought to 



at Ballitore. l\o 

fight at home; it was unreasonable to expect 
them to fight our battles. I told the men, that 
as to myself, I felt quite undisturbed, and I 
had no displeasure against them, who did it 
ignorantly: that they might put me to death, 
as I was in their hands: but they would never 
persuade mo to use any acts of violence against 
my fellow-men. At length they were persuad- 
ed to liberate us. 

" Now they entertained the idea of whip- 
ping a man they called an informer, whom 
they had taken prisoner, and made prepara- 
tions for it, on the principle of retaliation. — 
After some persuasion, they were induced to 
relinquish the idea, and declared that, though 
they had received very grievous treatment, they 
ought not to return evil for evil. As I applaud- 
ed this sentiment, I now began to have some 
place in their minds. It was satisfactory to 
find that they entertained no worse intent 
than obtaining redress to the grievances they 
complained of, such as the whipping and plun- 
dering committed on them by the military. 
As violence was likely to be inflicted on the 
soldiers' wives left in the town, I got leave to 
take them under my care, also George, a servant 
of Captain C , a sick soldier, and an- 
other, who was servant to Lieut. Gore. The 
two young women also, Anne Gore and Anne 
Ilemet, the latter a Jersey woman, wives 



1 1 6 Narrative of Events 

to Gore and Hemet, lieutenants in the Suf- 
folk militia, shared the hospitality and pro- 
tection of our housn. Thus were we vari- 
ously chequered ; people of all sides and all 
descriptions coming tons. So that if provisions 
should hold out, our garrison was pretty well 
manned. Various alarms came to-day :— ■ 
it was suggested that cannon were coming to 
destroy the house over our heads, the women 
fled out of the windows into the garden; and 
all was confusion and distraction while the pan- 
ic held. 

My family mostly staid hy me in the parlor; 
and supporting quiet was witnessed, sufficient 
to allay the noise of the waves and the tumults 
of the people. 

The wretched people were now grown tired 

of their attempt : their leader, Capt. — , 

had deserted them. 

" 26th, Seventh-day. — As 1 found a disposi- 
tion in the people to listen to terms, I took pains 
with my friends of peace-making spirit, to pre- 
vail on the people to send to the Command- 
ing Officer to sue for pardon. I drew up the 
following lines, which I proposed to the 

, and the people, and they heartily 

acceded in general. I told them it was no 
act of mine : I only proposed it to them ; I 
wished them to return to peace; but, what- 
ever they did, they must take on themselves 



at Ballitore. 11 1 

all the consequences. The lines were as fol- 
low: — 

" The people of the East Narra and Rheban, 
depending on Colonel Campbell's lenity, offer 
unconditional submission. They acknowledge 
they have been misled, and have perpetrated 
several acts of outrage, resentment and retali- 
ation ; which they are sorry for. They hope 
the severe measures used towards them will 
plead an excuse, as they preferred to die at once 
than to be tormented to death. They hope 
the Colonel will now consider their case as 
entitled, for their voluntary obedience, to 
Royal mercy and clemency. They wish to 
return to their duty and to their lawful occu- 
pations on the same footing they formerly 



" These lines were also shewn to the person 
commanding in the town ; he seemed not to ap- 
prove of them, but said to me — u Don't inter- 
fere." However, they seemed to convey the 
voice of the people, and as such, were sent by 
an express. Afterwards, the people seemed 
dissatisfied, unless some conditions were made 

for a liberation of prisoners, and J. B. ■ 

offered himself to go to Athy with further ex- 
planation; but this was not allowed at the time 
proposed. 



118 Narrative of Events 

The people said they would wait for the an- 
swer to the express. Insolence, even in (the 
possession of) a very precarious power, operates 
on the leaders in popular assemblies; and the 
poor people are still miserable victims of their 
misguided measures. The express returned 
w T ith the following answer: 

" Colonel Campbell conveyed to Mr. J. -, 

of Ballitore, his decision on the application of 
the deluded people of that place; and if they will 
lay down their arms of every kind, in front of 
the moat of Ardskull, this afternoonat six o'clock, 
and retire half a mile in the rear of it, Colonel 
Campbell will send out a party, (as he proposed 
yesterday,) to receive the arms, to prevent their 
falling into the hands of the disaffected. It 
gives the Colonel much pleasure to find, that 
the people have at last found out their error, 
and that they have been imposed on by design- 
ing men: and he will not fail to recommend 
their case to his Excellency the Lord Lieuten- 
ant; and he will in the mean time, afford them 
every protection in his power. Their compli- 
ance with this proposal will save much blood, 
as they must now be convinced, from their late 
attacks on the outposts, how impossible it is to 
make any impression on a well-disciplined ar- 
my. 

Colin Campbell, 
Colonel, commanding at Athy. 

Athy, 2Gth May, 1798. " 



at B alii tore. 119 

H The yesterday's proposal mentioned in the 
letter, was never generally communicated to the 
people; or, it appears, that, besides their own 
caprice, they labored under the curse of a de- 
ceitful mediator. 

" About six o'clock that evening, instead of 
the arms (as proposed) the people concluded on 
sending an ambassador of peace; and J. B. con- 
sented to go on their behalf. About eleven 
o'clock, J. B. returned with the following lines 
from Colonel Campbell: 

" Colonel Campbell is disposed to treat with 
the deluded people of the county of Kildare, 
and there shall be a truce till twelve o'clock 
to-morrow, provided six of the most respecta- 
ble of their people are sent here, on the return 

of Friend J B to Ballitore, who shall 

be kept as hostages for the performance of the 
proposals within stated: — A return of the num- 
ber in arms of the two Baronies who implore 
forgiveness, to be sent to Colonel Campbell 
to-morrow, at eight in the morning ; and this 
engagement will not be looked on as binding, 
if they afterwards admit any of their disaffected 
neighbors into the Baronies of East JS T arra and 
Reban. 

Colin Campbell, Colonel. 

81 C. C.'s patroles with letters not to be inter- 
cepted." 



120 Narrative of Events 

u This, coming so late, could not well be com- 
municated to the people, who were scattered 
every where. I took it to the priest, who lodged 
in the tourn, and who appeared all the day of 
wavering counsels, sometimes, before us, per- 
suading the people to surrender, and at other 
times, apart, haranguing them to opposite meas- 
ures; here was another mischief that attended 
the deluded people. Some of the principal men 
I had got that day closeted; they spoke reason- 
ably, and were inclinable for treaty, more or less, 
according to their respective clearness of under- 
standing. 

" Whelan, a turbulent man, with a blunder- 
buss, greatly annoyed our domestic councils. 
As I spoke to the people from an upper window, 
to enforce the mild offers of Government, I fear- 
ed once that he would discharge his mischievous 
engine at me. But Providence preserved.— 
Thus I am again tracing back the operations 
of the 26th, in order to account for the fatality, 
which, like a fiery comet, drew a train of dis- 
astrous circumstances. These wavering coun- 
sels of some, and the hot spirits of others of our 
demagogues, occasioned that this last requisi- 
tion came too late for the people to send in their 
hostages; for, though it was possible to collect 
them, yet, who could tell whether the people 
would, after all, comply with the terms? And 
thus the hostages were at stake for the dccep-> 



at Balliiorc. 121 

tion, and the people would untimely perish. 
So it was concluded to send in the hostages in 
the morning. 

ki The morning arrived, full of portentous 
calamity to this neighborhood. About three 
o'clock, the priest called me up, and told me, 
the army was certainly at hand. On the first 
intimation of it, the people fled and dispersed 
on every hand ; so that, if the hostages were 
then in time, it would be hard to collect them, 
and still harder to concentre the wavering re- 
solutions of the people. The poor priest ap- 
peared in great dismay. He requested to 
borrow my coat, but, when I went for it, he 
was gone. He fled towards Narramore ; the 
lion was there ; the thundering cannon had 
already been planted that morning early against 
Narramore House, the new unfinished man- 
sion of Maurice Keatinge, which they (with 
the assistance of fire) demolished; Carrol and 
some others, who had taken shelter there, be- 
ing either shot or dispersed. The priest now 
fled to Ephraim Boake's,* and hid in the gar- 
den ; but thinking that place unsafe, he lay 

*E. B. was an aged neighbor, long since deceased who 
had united his endeavors with those of A. S. and his 
friends, first to moderate, and then to protect, the misguid- 
ed people. The army, which was approaching at this 
time, was from Carlow, lying in a direction opposite to 
Athy, where Colonel Campbell commanded. 
L 



122 Narrative of Events 

down in one of the clumps before Ephraim's 
door, and there waited till the bitterness of death 
was past. But to return to Ballitore: As the 
army from Carlow, consisting of horse and foot y 

moved slowly down the hill, I proposed to J 

B , that he and I should go forth to meet 

them: which we did, also the Phelps' and Sam- 
uel Eves, then with us. The commanding offi- 
cer, Major Dennia, rode on to meet us with a 
pistol in his hand, and stopping near us, asked 
who commanded in the town? He was answer- 
ed by J B that c the town had been for 

these few days in the hands of the Insurgents, 
but as to us' said he, c we are only passengers. 
— c It happened well for you, gentlemen,' said 
he, ' that it is so, or I should have shot you, eve- 
ry man.' (It appears that he had previously 
given orders to shoot every man in colored 
clothes.) 

u I was no passenger, yet I did not then 
find it prudent to set him right. He then de- 
sired that some beer or other refreshment 
should be had for the soldiers. We shewed 
him the letter we had from Colin Campbell, 
and got up Col. Wolsely, then a lodger in my 
house, to speak to him; thus his wrath was 
averted. He desired the army to halt; the 
officers rode up for drink, and they moved 
away. 



at&altitore. 123 

"This woe past, the bitter cup of vengeance 
\vas handed us from another quarter. Colonel 
Campbell, not finding the hostages sent as he 
desired, marched his army in the night to pa- 
trole the country, and came down from Nar- 
lamore onus, about five or six o'clock, bringing 
fire and desolation wherever they came. The 
houses were generally burned, and many of the 
people shot, 1 suppose almost all who appeared, 
Whether guilty or not of the crime of disaffection. 
The officers came into our house and recogniz- 
ed their old friends, while the soldiery were 
spreading terror among the people. Poor Han- 
nah Haughton they plundered ; her innocency 
pleading in vain for her. The soldiers had got 
information concerning the commander of the 
town; he (simple man!) met them in the street, 
and was instautiy put to death. The houses 
in the burrow were now consumed; the inhabi- 
tants hid and escaped. My neighbor, who had 
taken me prisoner two days before, now came 
on his knees to me : he had just escaped 
(death; pleading merit for having saved the life 
of a soldier: by and by he and his wife came 
flying, and seemed closely pursued; as it was 
said, the wife had wounded a soldier, who at- 
tempted to take a ring from her and abuse 
her. I told her, she must hide somewhere 
.else out of the bouse, or it might be burned in 
itheir furv, 



124 Narrative of Events 

u In a few minutes this dreadful scene opened 
and closed; and they passed on. It resembled 
the operation of lightning — fierce and terrible, 
and over in a moment! 

" Colonel Campbell then led his army, clad 
in terrible array, round by Crookstown; spread- 
ing death and destruction wherever they came; 
and so passed on to Athy: the ministration of 
vengeance being let fall on devoted Ballitore 
and its neighborhood, notwithstanding that the 
most of the people, who were guilty of these 
outrages and opposition to government, came 
from a distance. Thus, having suffered the 
woe of rebellion first, we fell under the great- 
er woe of vindictive punishment. Here was 
an afflicting sight for the poor people to be- 
hold—all their little stock reduced to ashes! 
— the little provisions for their future wants, 
for some of them had not removed their 
goods; others, more wisely, had foreseen the 
threatened calamity. Yet the survivors (so 
sweet is life!) consoled themselves that they 
were alive, and now only sought about to 
find what they could do to avert a repeti- 
tion of the visit, which migh deprive them of 
life. 

"Ephraim Boake and I undertook to treat 
for them, and we went to Athy. When we 
arrived there we were congratulated that we 
were alive; they hac? been told that when the 






at Balliiore. 125 

army withdrew, the rebels had returned and 
burned every house which the army had spar- 
ed: — this we were able to contradict. Anne 
Gore and Anne Hernet were particularly over- 
joyed to see me, and met me with hugs and 
embraces ; the polite Colonel Wolseley and his 
lady made grateful acknowledgments for our 
care of them. My beloved friend Dorcas Fitz^ 
gerald I was glad to see, and she me; also dear 
T. and D. Chandly, and many more :■ — Afflic- 
tion unites in one. Colonel Campbell received 
well our proffered treaty. It was concluded , 
that he should come with a detachment of 
troops, to the high ground on the road at Ard-» 
skull, on 4th day following, at twelve o'clock; 
that all persons, desirous of laying down their 
arms, should deposit them on the gravel hill in 
Ballindrum bog, and retire to the road on 
Ballindrum hill ; that when the officer had 
taken up the arms, the people should come 
forward in a body and sign an engagement 
for future conduct : Colonel Campbell should 
then immediately recommend them to govern- 
ment ; and the utmost possible lenity should 
be used towards them : two hostages should 
be sent to Athy that day, to confirm the good 
resolutions of the people. These terms, after 
somef conversation, with the Colonel, in which 
he spoke kindly and mildly, we carried home ; 
and met the people at an hour appointed for 
l2 



i26 Narrative of Events. 

reading them. The people rejoiced at the 
very sound of peace, and promised that if any 
hereafter should conceal arms, or attempt to 
destroy their loyalty, they would lend every 
aid to take up such persons and bring them to 
justice. They were then sent home to con- 
vince all their neighbors ; for which the day 
following was allowed ; and they were desir- 
ed to come on fourth day morning, with their 
weapons of every kind, that Ephraim and I 
might conduct them to the place appointed* 
— With this they cheerfully complied. We 
met the Colonel and his troops ; the whole- 
business was conducted with good order ; the 
people graciously received the gracious smiles' 1 
and approbatien of the Colonel ; protections 
were given separately to every respective 
townland ; and the people came away as after* 
a triumphant victory. The insiduous artifices 
of one man (Mich. Walter) had like to have 
disconcerted the whole plan ; he came riding 
post haste, as express, to tell the people, thaf r 
if they staid there, they were all to be killed; 
and for this, he said, he had orders from Gen- 
eral Dundas ; but his villainous artifice was 
defeated by the activity of Ephraim Boake ; 
the man was taken and given up to the Col- 
onel, who ordered him to £e conducted to 
Athy. 

Ci As the time the arms were given in A. S, 



at B alii tore. 127 

handed the following address to Col. Camp- 
bell: 

tf * Abraham Shackleton begs leave to ad- 
dress Colonel Campbell on a subject that is of 
vast importance, as he conceives, to the gene- 
ral weal — the preservation of the people. He 
has seen with great anxiety, old distinctions of 
religious names revived. He believes that 
there does not exist that dark spirit of perse- 
cution among the people which is attributed to 
them, but a spirit of retaliation, in many, for 
real or imagined injuries. It is said, that they 
had formed a conspiracy for a general massa- 
cre : no such disposition was apparent the two 
days, that we of this town were entirely in 
their power. Why did they not proceed then 
to a massacre? Why did they not revenge the 
injuries they said they had received? They 
-spared to whip one man, who they said, was 
an informer ; — They forbore to whip the sol- 
diers' wives, when that cruel retaliation was 
•-suggested by the women of the town ; — They 
offered no injuries to the officers' wives in my 
house, nor to the sick soldier and two officers 3 
servants with me. A. S. believes that no such 
conspiracy exists, and that it is conceived only 
in the fears of men of property, who are alarm- 
ed at the thoughts of losing it. He believes 
that by mild treatment the people may be 



128 Narrative of Events. 

made useful to us, and happy in themselves. — 
They have found the folly of resistance. They 
are used to live low — facilem victu per secula 
gentern. Let them live, and live comfortably; 
— they will not aspire higher* they will be 
hands and feet to us. Indeed, all orders and 
classes of society want reformation. If the 
money laid out on spacious buildings, cultivat- 
ing fine gardens, and pleasure grounds, were 
some of it expended in cultivating the morals 
of the people, what a happy harvest of bless- 
ings would it not produce to the cultivators? — - 
If the rich did not insult the poor by their 
wanton extravagance and riot, the two orders 
of society would coalesce, and religious dis- 
tinctions would not be so much as thought 
of.' " 

From the foregoing narrative it appears that 
the pacific labors of this worthy Friend and 
his associates were blessed, in many instances. 
An inmate and relative of his family thus ex- 
presses herself: " Neighbors, rich and poor and 
persons of all parties, a hundred in all, shelter- 
ed peacefully together under my brother's roof 
Some of these were prisoners captured on their 
journey : one of their carriages being drawn 
down and their luggage carried — all safely 
deposited, persons and property — with my broth-- 



at Ballitore. 129 

Col. Wolseley and his lady, the wives of two 
Lieutenants, also the wives of two privates, and 
a sick soldier, were in this way protected un- 
der his roof, whilst their enemies had possession 
of the town. And when the place was given up 
to the fury of the soldiers, to be pillaged and 
burnt, an officer, who had been at Ballitore 
School, had placed sentinels to protect the hous- 
es of Friends: the house of one poor female they 
forgot, till it was too late to save her little prop- 
erty from destruction. 

" When I first saw our house filling with the 
Insurgents, soon after they came in, I told them 
I was frightened at the sight of so many armed 
men, and, without shewing displeasure, they 
answered, i we will be off in a shot J (meaning 
directly) and presently withdrew, after they 
had got milk ; and one of them cut the bread 
I brought out, distributing it among them with 
the advice ; ' Be decent, boys, be decent.' I 
met with this man afterwards, as he stood a 
sentinel, and threatened to shoot a man of his 
own party, who walked beside me, if he passed 
the bounds. I asked him, if I went on, would 
he shoot me? He expressed affectionate sur- 
prise at my asking such a question, and pro* 
nounced an eulogium on Quakers, I told him 
it would be well, if they were all of our way 
of thinking ; for then there would be no such 
work as the present. His reply, incoherent as 






130 Narrative of Events at Ballitore. 

it was, I could understand, 'Aye, but you 

know our Savior — the scourges — Oh! the 

scourges!' 

" The insurgents sometimes attempted to 
soothe our female tears, shaking us by the hand, 
and declaring they would burn those that would 
burn us. My mother, in her state of second 
childhood, was respectfully treated by them ; 
also, when the army came, a soldier begged 
leave of his officers to visit the i old mistress:' 
he had been quartered on her. The Insurgents 
took our bridles and saddles, but nothing else 
besides food. A man, with a naked sword, de- 
manded from me my own riding mare; I told 
him, I had lent her to one of the officers ; and 
another vouching for my veracity, he was sat- 
isfied and went away. Others applied for any 
thing of a green color. I told them we could 
not join any party. 6 What, not the strongest?' 
* No, none at all.' And though our tables were 
covered with green cloths, they forbore to urge 
the request." 

In addition to this testimony, the author is 
credibly informed, " that A. S. and his col- 
leagues in the work of peace, continued to 
interpose their good offices afterwards, when 
judicial proceedings were gleaning the refuse 
of the sword ; and had the satisfaction of con- 
tributing 10 save many of their neighbors from 
death, A man who was tried by a 'court 



Testimony of a Friend near Moate. 131 

martial, ascribed his acquittal to a note in his 
favor from the sister of A. S. The officer 
who took it glanced at the signature, and ex- 
claimed, that women cared not what they said; 
and then, observing the date, remarked, that 
it was from a Quaker $ and that Quakers never 



A Friend of great respectability in the coun- 
ty of Westmeath, living in a wild, thinly inhab- 
ited district, not far from the town of Moate, 
has given the following striking testimony, 
from his own observations at that period. — 
" All those in this quarter who prof essed princi- 
ples of peace, were marvelously spared from 
extreme suffering; some living in solitary places 
surrounded by that class who were very gen- 
erally in a state of Rebellion. Some so cir- 
cumstanced, could not leave their usual hab- 
itations, though strongly urged by their few 
Protestant neighbors, to flee with them to gar- 
rison-towns. O! the heart-rending scenes some 
such have witnessed; their neighbors, running 
hither and thither with their families and goods, 
and calling upon me to flee from certain de- 
struction! Yet some were favored with faith 
and patieuce to abide in their lots, conscien- 
tiously adhering to the revealed law of their 



132 Testimony from Ross. 

God; and thus did experience, to their hum- 
bling admiration, the name of the Lord to be 
a strong tower in which they found safety. I 
could, with wonder, love, and praise, relate 
some marvelous deliverances mercifully vouch- 
safed to me when surrounded by numerous, 
and, at other times, by smaller bodies of armed 
men in open Rebellion, and when no human 
being of any other description was near ; yet 
through Divine aid, and that alone, was I ena- 
bled to refuse to take up arms or take their 
oaths, or join them, assigning as a reason that 
I could not fight nor swear for or against them. 
They threatened — they pondered — they debat- 
ed — marvelled — and ultimately liberated me — 
though they said I was in the power of many 
thousands then assembled. 

" When travelling alone, I have sometimes 
seen such people armed with pikes : we have 
looked seriously at each other, and passed with- 
out speaking." 

According to the testimony of a respectable 
inhabitant of Ross, Friends of this town were 
placed in a different situation from some others 
of their religious profession in other parts of 
the county of Wexford ; in as much as the 
town was occupied by a large military force, 
and not at any period in the possession of the 
Insurgents, except partially and at intervals 
during the day of the memorable battle, which 



Battle of Ross. 133 

continued with but little cessation for nearly 
the space of twelve hours. For a considerable 
part of this time, it was matter of awful uncer- 
tainty which party would ultimately prevail. 
But, at the very juncture when the town was 
mostly abandoned by the king's troops, who, 
from the violence and great length of the con- 
flict, together with the intense heat of the 
weather and other causes, had become so fa- 
tigued and exhausted, as generally to give it 
up, and to retire to the bridge, in order to 
secure their retreat into Munster, the assailing 
multitude composed of many thousands, were 
observed to betake themselves to flight, with- 
out any apparent cause, either then or since 
discovered. On being assured of this remark- 
able circumstance, the king's troops were pre- 
vailed upon to return, and they took posses- 
sion of their former posts, under some degree 
of astonishment at finding themselves left un- 
disputed masters of the town. General John- 
son, who commanded, is reported to have 
said, that the success of that day was to be 
referred to Providence, and was not the work 
of man. 

During this bloody conflict, in which it is 
stated from good authority that upwards of 
two thousand persons were killed, the town 
was set on fire in different quarters, and the 
flames spread with such uncontrolled fury as 



134 Friends preserved. 

to threaten a frightful devastation. Yet amidst 
so many imminent and combined dangers, — 
Friends were generally preserved in a quiet 
and resigned state of dependence upon that 
Almighty Power which could alone afford 
protection in such an awful crisis. Protec- 
tion was indeed, wonderfully experienced, ag 
was foretold by several ministers of the Soci- 
ety, during their religious labors in the country, 
some years before this calamity took place. 
One Friend, in particular, was heard to declare, 
in Gospel authority, " that in a time of trial, 
which was approaching, if Friends kept their 
places, many w 7 ould be glad to take shelter un- 
der the skirts of their garments." This pre- 
diction was now literally fulfilled : for, many 
respectable neighbors, on the evening of the 
battle, apprehending themselves not so secure 
in their own houses, as in those of Friends, 
flocked, with their families, to the latter, think- 
ing the insurgents would probably return and 
make another attack on the town in the night. — 
Some of them, belonging to an armed associa- 
tion, and clad in a military garb, readily acqui- 
esced with the proprietors' remonstrances, — 
and assumed a dress of more peaceable ap- 
pearance. And there was reason to believe, 
that after experiencing such an unexpected de- 
liverance, their minds were made sensible that 
the power or strength of man was at such a 



A «a* m 



Sat tie of Antrim. 155 

time of little avail, and that Providence alone 
was able to protect and to rescue from such im- 
minent danger. 

Many facts might be stated to show the im- 
pressions which the people, or al least those who 
were apprehensive for their personal safety gen- 
erally entertained, that the peaceable dress of 
the Society would afford protection in these 
perilous times: the following instance may be 
.mentioned: 

In the house of a Friend near Enniscorthy, 
there lodged a Protestant Clergyman, a man of 
sober moral character, with his wife. When he 
saw the danger approaching, he requested that 
the clothes of a Friend might be given him, ex- 
pecting that in such a dress he might be pre- 
served, or at least might be able to effect his 
escape. But it was remarked to him, that such 
a disguise could be of no advantage, and he hid 
himself in the garden by the river side, where 
he was found and murdered, 



Battle of Antrim, 

The town of Antrim was the only considera- 
ble place in the North, during the year of the 
Rebellion, in which any members of the Society 
were placed in serious difficulties, immediately 



136 A Friend* s Family in Danger. 

between the contending parties. One family, 
however, consisting of a very young man, and 
his sisters, whose father was then engaged in a 
religious visit in America, was preserved in a 
remarkable manner during the conflict which 
took place in this town. 

On the day of the battle, when it was an- 
nounced that the Rebels were approaching, 
few of the Regular Army being then in the 
place, expresses were sent off in different 
quarters for assistance. A regiment of Cavalry 
arrived before the commencement of the en- 
gagement, but was not able to make any ef- 
fectual stand against the force opposed to it. — 
Orders were issued to the inhabitants to close 
their doors and windows, and to remain in their 
houses. About one o'clock in the day, the 
Rebels marched into the town; and their ap- 
pearance caused a general dismay, so that hor- 
ror seemed to be pictured in every counte- 
nance. 

It was the design of this family to remain in 
their house until they discovered that the ac- 
tion had commenced and that the Insurgents' 
cannon was placed in the street directly op- 
posite to their door. As the house seemed 
to be in imminent danger, they thought of 
taking refuge in the fields. This step would 
however? have been attended with great per- 



A wounded Rebel enters their House. 137 

sonal risk, and was happily prevented ; for the 
yard was so full of Rebels that the family could 
not well pass by them ; and after making an 
effort to escape, the females returned into the 
house ; but their brother was shut out amongst 
the crowd. And, notwithstanding they were 
in the heat of action at the time, they neither 
asked him to take up arms and join them, nor 
did they offer him the least degree of violence. 
He afterwards got into the stable, and endeav- 
ored to secure himself by holding down the latch 
with his hand, till one of his sisters ventured out, 
and brought him into the house ; to their great 
joy, as they never expected to see him again 
alive. 

Immediately after they had given up the in- 
tention of going into the fields, and were enter- 
ing the house, a wounded Rebel came in along 
with them, and stayed with them the remaining 
time of the engagement. Though they endeav- 
ored to perform the duties of humanity to a suf- 
fering fellow-creature, they felt their situation 
to be full of difficulty as well as danger, on his 
account, not knowing how soon his enemies 
might prevail, and find him under their protec- 
tion. The Rebel, who was a respectable per- 
son, strove to encourage them by saying, they 
need not be at all alarmed, for that, he was 
sure, as they were an inoffensive people, and did 
m2 



138 Battle of Antrim. 

not meddle on either side, they would not meet 
with any injury. 

At this time the Rebels had gained posses- 
sion of the town, having obliged the regiment of 
Cavalry to retreat, after a very deadly encoun- 
ter, in which about one third of the regiment, in 
the short space of a few minutes, was either 
killed or severely wounded ; but it was not long 
before a reinforcement of the PvJonaghan and 
Tipperary Militia entered the town ; and see- 
ing the Rebels beginning to yield, they acted 
with great cruelty, neither distinguishing friends 
nor enemies, but destroying every one who 
appeared in colored clothes. In a very short 
time they dispersed the Insurgents, and retook 
the town. 

Numbers, who were not in any way concern- 
ed, lost their lives ; for the soldiers showed 
pity to none : they fired into the houses of the 
inhabitants and killed many ; those, who took 
refuge in the fields, suffered severely. 

When the firing had almost ceased, the fa- 
mily above noticed, concluded it would be much 
safer for the Rebel who had taken shelter with 
them to try to make his escape; for the proba- 
bility was. that if he should be found in the 
house, at such a time, he would not only suf- 
fer himself ) but "be the occasion of the family 
suffering also. He made his escape accord- 
ingly, ftr\d was saved. 



, The House entered by Soldiers. 139 

Not many minutes after, a number of sol- 
diers came to the door, knocked furiously at it, 
and demanded entrance immediately, insisting 
that the family should all come forward and show 
themselves, in order that it might be known 
whether there were any strangers in the house. 
The door was opened accordingly, and they 
were immediately surrounded by a great number 
of soldiers. 

Their appearance was very frightful: they 
were just come from the heat of the battle ; 
their faces besmeared with gunpowder, and the 
expression of their countenances corresponding 
with the work of death in which their hands had 
just been engaged. One of them said he want- 
ed to see if he appeared " Devil-enoiigh-like $ 
he looked at his face in the glass and observ- 
ed — Ci he thought he did appear quite enough 
so." They inquired, if all the individuals of 
the family were present, and if any strangers 
were ; in* the house. Some of them were going 
up stairs- to search: but an officer, who lived 
near, told them, they should not make any 
search : " that the Quakers were people that 
would not tell a lie — -that their words might 
be taken— and, therefore, if any strangers were 
in the house, that they would not be denied." 
Indeed, their manner was so kind and civil 
as to excite the astonishment of the family; 



140 Battle of Antrim. 

especially as many others had experienced very 
different treatment. 

They now brought into the house a poor 
wounded soldier, and gave him into the care 
of the family. Part of his bowels had forced 
their way out through a wound made by a mus- 
ket bail. Every possible attention was paid to 
him, and he w T as very thankful for it, but died 
the next morning, after suffering great pain. 

The town presented an awful appearance 
after the battle: the bodies of men and horses 
were lying in the blood-stained streets; and the 
people were to be seen here and there saluting 
their neighbors — like those who survived a pes- 
tilence or earthquake — as if they were glad to 
see each other alive, after the recent calamity. 

The same night nearly a troop of soldiers 
came to the door, to let the family know " they 
need not be at all alarmed: for that they should 
be protected — that the soldiers would be riding 
through the streets all night, and would take 
care they should not be molested." 

After this the inhabitants were kept in a 
state of constant alarm for many days, not 
knowing when another attack might be made 
upon the town: fresh orders were repeated- 
ly given to close up their doors and windows, 
and to prepare for another engagement. In the 
mean while the army were racking many hous- 



_ 



Orders to bum part of the Town. 141 

es, and taking away the property. They car- 
ried off the shop-goods of a Friend living in a 
suspected quarter of the town, but did not hurt 
any of his family. The young man, who, with 
his sisters, was so critically circumstanced, as 
is above related, interceded for his friend w T ith 
the commanding officer ; but the latter would 
not prevent the soldiers from plundering, say- 
ing, u he is a Quaker, and will not fight ; there- 
fore the men must be allowed to take his 
goods." 

A brother of the same Friend living in a 
part of the town, which was not considered so 
rebellious, received no harm, and suffered no 
loss of property. 

Owing to the bad character, which that part 
of the town, where the young man and his 
sisters lived, had obtained, orders were issued 
that it should be burned. Some of the hous- 
es had already been destroyed on the morning 
of the battle ; but it was now a fearful thing 
to have the houses of a whole street condem- 
ned to pillage and flames ; as many inno- 
cent persons w r ould undoubtedly suffer, and 
numbers would be left without a place of 
shelter. For, in this calamitous period, the 
poor destitute wanderer, whether innocent or 
guilty, who was deprived of a home, either bv 
accident or design, was always an object of 
suspicion, and if not in military attire, was 
liable to be shot, 



142 Battle of Antrim. 

The commanding officer was riding up the 
street to give orders ; and one of the young 
women of the family thought she would venture 
through the crowd and speak to him : some 
of the town's people had indeed kindly urged 
her to make the application. She walked up 
to him accordingly, and with great simplicity, 
asked him, " if their house was to be burned:" 
He replied, u I have received very bad treat- 
ment from the inhabitants of this quarter of the 
town ,- but you shall not be disturbed. I will 
make them rack the houses about your house 
and save yours. " After this, without their 
knowledge, a yeoman was sent to stand at their 
door, while the destruction was going forward 
near them. 

Notwithstanding the officer's commands, the 
army seemed disposed, many times after- 
wards, to plunder their house; but the neighbors 
always interfered, saying, " they were inoffen- 
sive people, not connected with any party, 
and that their father was in America." 

On one occasion the soldiers came for the 
express purpose of racking the house, and had 
their weapons ready to break the windows. — 
But the neighbors, some of whom were yeomen, 
stepped forward in their behalf, so that not even 
a shilling's worth was taken from them, nor did 
any of the family receive the slightest personal 
injury. 



.. , «w> 



Remarkable Prayer. 143 

The following remarkable circumstance de- 
serves to be recorded in relation to this fam- 
ily. It is given upon unquestionable author- 
ity:— 

t At the time their father, then in a weak state 
of health, was preparing to leave Ireland, for 
the purpose of paying a religious visit to Amer- 
ica, a minister of the Society expressed him- 
self in prayer, at a Quarterly Meeting, to this 
effect: he said, " he was led to appear in sup- 
plication on behalf of a dear brother who was 
going to a distant country, he might say, as with 
his life in his hands; that the Lord, he trusted, 
would be with him, and would lay put his work 
day after day; that he would be enabled to per- 
form acceptably what ,was designed for him to 
do, and would return to his family and friends 
with the reward of peace in his own bosom ; 
experiencing Him who was his morning light 
to be his evening song. But that in his absence 
the sword would be near his house, and the 
dead bodies would be lying in the streets; and, 
at the time, neither hurt nor harm would befal 
his family: for the Lord would encamp about 
them, and preserve them, as in the hollow of 
his hand, from the rage and fury of the 
enemy." — These things were literally accom- 
plished. 



144 3foravians at Grace-hill 

In connection with the battle of Antrim, it is 
peculiarly gratifying to be enabled to communi- 
cate a few particulars relating to what occurred 
at the Moravian settlement near it. The inci- 
dent proves that the same principles of conduit 
will lead to the same practical effects, whether 
maintained by one Society of Christians or by 
another ; and the author is indebted for it 
to an intelligent female, who resided for some 
time at Grace-hill amongst the Moravians them- 
selves. 

" You request me to inform you of what I 
know respecting the Moravians and their great 
objection to War, or any party work what- 
ever. This I can clearly do, from a long re- 
sidence among them, during which time I nev- 
er knew one of the members of their Society 
summoned to Sessions, or any other Court of 
Law; which, from their being so numerous, 
is rather a wonderful thing in unfortunate Ire- 
land. Their aim and wish is to live peacea- 
bly and industriously under the existing gov- 
ernment, not meddling with politics, or affairs 
of state; they having a much higher object in 
view — the training of souls for the inheritance 
of glory. 

" You may remember aja anecdote I used to 
tell you of good old Mr. Fredlezius (the min- 
ister) during the Rebellion of 1798, and a few 
days before the battle of Antrim. When a 



Moravians preserved. 145 

party of ragged United Irishmen came to 
Grace-hill, and told him, that, unless the breth- 
ren joined them, they would burn the settle- 
ment, and murder the whole community, and 
said that in a few weeks all Ireland would be 
theirs, as the French had landed to restore 
them to their rights, and that, unless they 
became of their party, and took up arms, they 
would not allow them an inch of ground in the 
Island. But poor dear old Feridlezius, who 
had not time to half dress himself, came out 
among them in his red night-cap; and. trust- 
ing that God would soon deliver them out of 
the hands of such a mob, coolly said, " Well, 
well, my friends, be peaceable and when you 
be de cock, we be cle chickens: come into the 
inn and refresh yourselves." And, indeed, 
they did so, drinking all they could. They 
then went to the shop, carried off all the green 
stuff and ribins they could get, and said they 
would come again soon for the final answer, 
as to what party they would join; and, if not 
theirs, they would reduce the place to ashes, 
and murder the whole set. They did assur- 
edly come, not many days after; they arrived 
in multitudes, and drew up in front of the sis- 
ters' house, while the poor sisters had all as- 
sembled in their prayer hail to implore God 
to protect them; and momentarily expecting 
those ruffians to break in on them, some dfa- 

N 






146 Peculiar Trial of a Friend. 

goons galloped past with accounts to Bally- 
mena, that the Rebels were beaten at Antrim, 
and would soon be annihilated. This so ter- 
rified the ragged rabble, that they took flight 
in all directions, leaving the good Moravians to 
bless and magnify that God, who had so provi- 
dentially preserved them." 



I shall conclude this chapter with an anec- 
dote communicated to me by a valuable Friend, 
who felt himself placed in a situation which 
exposed him to a kind of trial, different, in many 
respects, from what others had to experience, 
in support of the testimony against War. It 
not only shows the delicacy of those religious 
feelings which may arise in truly devoted 
minds, and the benefit of yielding them faith- 
ful obedience, but may afford a useful les- 
son to others to attend to the pointings of duty 
in themselves, even when their nearest friends 
may not see things exactly in the same light. 
We cannot doubt that this conscientious indi- 
vidual was far from indulging a disposition to 
condemn any of his brethren who might not 
have taken a similar view of the case. Yet a 
little reflection, it is presumed, must point 
out to every one the reasonableness of his 
religious scruples on the subject : — 



Peculiar Trial of a Friend. 147 

" At the time when we were under the 
power of the military, and the civil authori- 
ties suspended, the town of C was threat- 
ened, or in expectation of being attacked. — 
On walking out one day, I observed, posted 
up in various places, a printed order from the 
General, in the following terms : 'In case of 
alarm in the night, the inhabitants are required 
to place lights in the middle stories of their 
houses. Tiie most severe and instantaneous pun- 
ishment will be inflicted on such as neglect to 
comply icith this order.' A cloud of distress 
came over my mind on reading this notice. I 
knew that the l Light in the windows,' was, 
that the soldiers might, discern the enemy, and be 
able to fight; and the most severe and instan- 
taneous punishment' was a license to the sold- 
iers to put all instantly to death, where this 
order was not complied with. As I could not 
fight myself, I found I dare not hold alight for 
another to fight for me. This would be taking 
a more active part in a contest than I was easy 
to do ; and how to act was a nice and diffi- 
cult point. I informed Friends how I felt ; 
but I found they did not all see alike, and few 
thought themselves so restricted as I did. At 
length, after some days, I felt inclined to go 
to the General myself: so asking a friend to 
accompany me, I went to him. He received 
us in a civil manner, and patiently heard me 



14S Peculiar Trial of a Friend. 

whilst 1 told him, that as T could not fight my- 
self, I was not easy to hold a candle for another 
to do it for me. I believe he perceived the 
distress of my mind, and the first thing he said 
was, ' I think it is a pity you did not let me 
know your uneasiness sooner.' He asked me, 
if I came on behalf of the Society of Quakers 
in the town, or was it only the uneasiness of a 
few? I told him I did not come on behalf of 
the body at large. He said that he had issued 
the order as consistent with his duty as com- 
manding officer, and having issued it, he could 
not well rescind it now; but said, if I would 
furnish him w 7 ith the names of such Friends as 
were uneasy to comply with the order, and 
where they lived, he would endeavor to have 
them protected, in case of alarm. I told him 
that perhaps there were some, who could not 
say till the time of trial came, how far they 
might be easy to comply or not, and then it 
would be too late. Then, with much conde- 
scension and kindness, he desired me to furnish 
him with the names of all the members of the 
Society in the town ; he would endeavor that 
they should not suffer, for non-compliance with 
his order. This I complied with; but the town 
not being attacked, the General's kind inten- 
tions were not called forth. It was, however, 
I thought, a memorable circumstance, that a 
General, in the midst of commotion, should 



Preservation of the Society. 149 

so patiently listen to my reasons for not com- 
plying with his order, and promise as far as he 
could, to protect us. As well as I can now 
remember, he went so far as to say, he did not 
think he should have issued the order just as he 
did, if he knew it would have given Friends so 
much uneasiness. 



CHAPTER VI. 



OF THE GENERAL PRESERVATION OP THE SOCI- 
ETY DURING THE REBELLION. 



The Society of Friends is scattered over 
three Provinces in Ireland. In these, viz. 
Ulster, Leinster and Munster, many of its mem- 
bers were brought into immediate contact with 
one or both of the hostile parties, in towns, 
villages, and retired country places. Some, 
it must also be acknowledged, were living with 
little more than an outward or formal profes- 
sion of the principle against War, held as one 
of its Christian tenets by the Society: in fact, 
they submitted to the opinion of their Friends, 
and followed traditionally the maxims of their 
education ; without feeling such strong convic- 






150 The Case of a young Man excepted, 

tionof the indispensable duty which this prinei-* 
pie enjoined, as would have made them willing 
to part with their liberty or property, much 
less with their lives, rather than to violate such 
an important testimony. 

In this great variety of circumstances and 
of perils to which they were exposed, it is nat- 
ural enough to inquire whether the Society 
lost any of its members. We are enabled to 
answer this question by an authentic docu- 
ment issued by the Yearly Meeting in Dublin, 
which contains the following passage : " It is 
worthy of commemoration, and cause of hum- 
ble thankfulness to the Preserver of men, that, 
amidst the carnage and destruction which fre- 
quently prevailed in some parts, and notwith- 
standing the jeopardy in which some F«riends 
stood every hour, and, that they had frequent- 
ly to pass through violent and enraged men, 
in going to, and returning from our religious 
meetings; (which, with very few exceptions, 
were constantly kept up) that the lives of the 
members of our Society were so signally pre- 
served." 

And in the same document, an extract is 
given from the Epistle from the Yearly Meet- 
ing held in Dublin in 1801, addressed to the 
Yearly Meeting in Philadelphia, which states, 
that u It was cause of grateful acknowledg- 
ment to the God and Father of all our mercies, 



Who ivas shot by the Insurgents. 151 

that in retrospection to that gloomy season, 
when in some places Friends did not know 
but that every day would be their last, seeing 
and hearing so many of their neighbors be- 
ing put to death, that no member of our So 
ciety fell a sacrifice in that way, but one youn^ 
man. 

That an exception should thus be made oi 
one young man, in the accidents or allotments 
of a Society composed of some thousands, is 
in itself a remarkable occurrence: and every 
one must be curious to know under what cir- 
cumstances the death of this individual took 
place. 

There are some cases in which an apparent 
exception confirms the law : and we are much 
mistaken, if in this particular instance, the very 
exception will not be found to establish the 
principle, so far from weakening its practical 
force. 

His name, as well as the place where this 
individual suffered, are well known; but it 
would not be consistent with the object of this 
narrative, to publish them to the world. As the 
names of those, who might be entitled to a lit- 
tle commendation, in so far as they acted in 
obedience to their principles, are generally con- 
cealed, it is the more necessary to shi eldfrom 
public notice the memory of one whose untime- 
ly death, following as it did his deviation from 



15£ Peculiar Circumstances of his Death. 

these principles, formed so notable an excep- 
tion. 

This young man, apprehending that his life 
was in danger, and that he could find no pro- 
tection but by outward means of defence, took 
up the resolution accordingly to put on a mili- 
tary uniform, and to associate with armed men. 
He told his connections, that they would all be 
murdered, if they remained in such a defence- 
less state in the country; and taking with him 
some papers of consequence, he fled to a 
neighboring garrison town. But it so hap- 
pened that the very town* he chose as a place 
of refuge, was attacked and taken by the Insur- 
gents; and from the most credible informa- 
tion that can be collected, it appears that, when 
the contest was over and he was wantonly firing 
out of a window upon them, the door of the 
house was forced open by the enraged enemy ; 
and in terror of his life, he sought to conceal 
himself in an upper chamber, where he was 
soon discovered and put to death. It has been 
stated, I know not whether on sufficient autho- 
rity, that he was marked, some time before, 
for his inconsistency and party spirit, by those 
whom in consequence of his decided opposi- 
tion, he had thus made his enemies, and that 
he was formally threatened, if he persisted in 

* Situated in the county of Kildare. 



Reflections on the Event. 153 

such rash conduct, that he should lose his 
life. 

Pitiable young man ! How little did he know 
what was for his real good! He left his home 
and the wise instructions of his parents, think- 
ing they would afford no protection in this 
time of peril. He calculated upon a short- 
sighted policy, as it proved ; though he fol- 
lowed the usual maxims of the world; — and 
what was the result? — The means he took for 
his preservation, proved his ruin. The dress 
and arms in which he was accoutred were his 
greatest enemies : they spoke the language of 
hostility, and invited it. The power in which 
he trusted, failed, him as in a moment. — On 
the other hand, the relations he abandoned 
were saved : their peaceful principles were 
to them as a tower and shield ; and their 
solitary home, though unfurnished with out- 
ward defences, proved in the end a place of 
safety. 

It scarcely perhaps deserves to be mentioned, 
but the fact appears to have a remote affinity 
to the immediate subject, and may afford some 
instruction, that a member of the Society, who 
under the influence of an improper curiosity, 
looked out of a window, during, or just after, an 
engagement, was shot at and wounded in the 
chest, but that he recovered. 

On the other hand, the preservation of some 



154 Facts of another Description. 

who seemed to be in more immediate danger, 
was remarkable : two Friends, who had been 
travelling, and were entering the town ofKil- 
cullen, just as a battle was commencing, stood 
in the open street during the engagement ; and, 
though they run a risk of being shot by the sen- 
tinel, on entering the town, as well as by the 
contending parties, in the heat of action, were 
happily preserved. 

At Baltiboys, in the county of Wicklow, an 
elderly person was killed, during the Rebellion, 
who had been a short time before disunited for 
inconsistency in his conduct, and had meddled 
imprudently in political matters. 



The following affecting narrative contains a 
few particulars relative to two brothers nam- 
ed John and Samuel Jones, who were put to 
death by the Insurgents, on the day of the 
burning of Scullabogue barn, in the lawn near 
it. 

Although the event it records may not at 
first sight appear to have any proper connec- 
tion with the subject of this publication, and 
even, to some, to militate against the princi- 
ples; yet it is considered that a closer view 
will point out the application ; and, as truth is 



Affecting Narrative. 155 

sacred and ought not to be disguised, the in- 
sertion of the fact may serve at least to take 
away presumption from those, who might be 
induced to look for preservation, as the neces- 
sary effect of peaceable conduct. No such im- 
pression as the last, is meant to be convey- 
ed. 

Samuel Jones, the younger of the two had 
attended the meetings of Friends, and was con- 
sidered to make no other profession of religion. 
Their father having married out of the Society, 
lost his membership in consequence ; and 
Samuel, though feeling an attachment to it, 
had never applied for admission. But if uncon- 
querable faith and fortitude in the hour of ex- 
tremity, could entitle any one to the name of 
martyr, his name and the circumstances of his 
death deserve to be recorded, as affording an 
instructive example of Christian heroism ; and 
he might have been justly regarded as a worthy 
associate of any Christian community. They 
lived at Kilbraney, near old Ross, in the county 
of Wexford. 

Samuel was of a meek and tender spirit, 
and remarked for the benevolence of his dis- 
position. At one period he had applied him- 
self closely to the perusal of Fox's Martyrol- 
gy, and other religious books ; thus fortifying 
his mind, as it were, against the day of trial. 
As the preparations for the impending conflict. 



156 Affecting Narrative. 

were going forward, he became very thought- 
ful, apprehending that some serious calamity 
would befal him from the Insurgents. About 
a month before the lamentable event took 
place, he told his wife that he did not expect 
to die upon his bed ; and on one occasion, 
having, with her, accompanied some young 
women, to their place of abode, who were 
gay and lively, he remarked, with much seri- 
ousness, " How little do these poor creatures 
know what is before them !" The last time 
he attended the meeting at Forrest, it appear- 
ed as if he considered it to be a final parting 
with his friends. 

Shortly after this, as the troubles increased, 
and danger became more imminent, he was urg- 
ed by his Protestant neighbors to fly for refuge 
to the adjacent garrison-town of New-Ross : but 
he and his wife thought it right to remain at their 
own residence. 

He was taken prisoner soon after, with his 
elder brother John, and conveyed to the man- 
sion of F. King, of Scullabogue, his wife ac- 
companying them. John lamented his situa- 
tion and former manner of life, signifying that 
he was ill prepared to die ; but Samuel encour- 
aged him by repeating the declaration of our 
Savior, " He that findeth his life shall lose it, 
and he that loseth his life for my sake shall 
find it." 



Imprisoned at Scullabogue. 157 

The house where they were imprisoned was 
close to the noted barn, in which, within a few 
days after they were taken, a number of their 
creatures were horribly burnt to death.* Like 
many others confined there, they had little to 
eat ; and his wife, having procured a loaf of 
bread, brought it to him: but being more in- 
clined to sleep than to eat, he placed it under 
his head, intending to reserve it till he awoke ; 
and whilst he slept, it was conveyed away. — 
W hen he awoke and his wife lamenting the 

*The following fact is supposed to indicate that the 
massacre of the Protestants at Scullabogue, to the num- 
ber of two hundred and upwards, by burning some in 
the barn, and shooting others in the lawn, was not the 
effect of a sudden impulse, but of a preconcerted plan, 
to which even some of the Protestant Generals of the 
Rebels were not privy: two days before the massacre, 
a member of the Society, of Scar, whose son was either 
taken or went with the United Irishmen, to their camp, 
apprehending that he had influence with one of their 
Generals, B. B. Harvey (himself a Protestant) to get off 
his son, repaired to Scullabogue and spoke to the Gen- 
eral. But the power of the latter being in some things 
merely nominal, he directed him to go to the Priest, 
whose name was Roche, saying "He could do nothing 
for him." Not being satisfied to do so, the Friend re- 
turned home. But whilst he was waiting for the Gen- 
eral, he saw the two brothers Jones in the house; and 
•as he was attempting to go into the room where they 
'were confined, he was pulled suddenly back by a man 
framed Fitzhenry, who told him, that "if he went into 
Khat room, Ae would never come out alive." 
O 



158 Instance of SamueTs Patience. 

loss of it at such a time of need, he patiently 
answered her, " God who has permitted the 
food to be taken away, can likewise take away 
hunger." But afterwards, as he was walking 
about the room, his foot struck against a plate 
of potatoes, which lay concealed under some 
clothes, and, though cold, to them they were 
delicious. A New Testament, which they had 
with them, afforded them much comfort. On 
the morning of the day when the barn was set 
on fire — which was also the day of the bat- 
tle of Ross, — as they were reading in the New 
Testament, Samuel's wife inquired of one of 
their guards the cause of the peculiar smell, like 
burning animal matter, which she perceiv- 
ed. He told her it proceeded from some beef 
steaks they were preparing for breakfast? To 
a further inquiry she made, " what was meant 
by the firing of guns?" he replied, " 'Tis 
some criminals we are shooting. n fi And will 
they shoot us ?" said the poor woman. u O 
may be they will spare you till the last," was 
his answer. 

In about five minutes after this, the three 
were taken out. 

The Rebel officer, who commanded there, 
had been reminded by Samuel of their having 
been school-fellows ; and the latter had given 
him his watch and money to keep for him : it is 
even stated that the officer slept in the same 



They are taken out to be shot. loO 

bed with him part of the previous night. Hav- 
ing proposed r,o Samuel that he should conform 
and turn to the Roman Catholic profession, he 
replied, " Where shall I turn, but where my 
God is?" And when he was urged to have his 
children sprinkled, he said, •' My children are 
innocent, and I will leave them so." 

When the two brothers, with Samuel's wife, 
were brought out into the lawn in front of the 
dwelling-house where they were imprisoned, to 
be put to death, some person said, " They were 
Quakers." It was replied, that Ci if they could 
make it appear that they were Quakers, they 
should not be killed." As they were not in 
reality members of the Society, this w r as not at- 
tempted to be done. Those, who had them in 
custody, then took Samuel aside, and on cer- 
tain conditions offered him his life; but whatever 
was the nature of these conditions, he firmly 
rejected them ; and when the holy water, as 
they termed it, was brought to them, he turned 
his back upon it. 

The Insurgents then shot his elder brother, 
whom he very much encouraged, fearing his 
steadfastness might give way — for John had 
shown a disposition to turn Roman Catholic, if 
it might be the means of saving Samuel's life; 
but the latter encouraged his brother to faithful- 
ness, expressing the words of our blessed Sav- 
ior, u they that deny me before men, them will 



160 John encouraged by his Brother. 

I also deny before my Father who is in heaven," 
and he again revived the 39th verse of the same 
chapter in his remembrance. See Matthew, 
Chap. x. 

Samuel then desired his love to be given to 
different Friends, whom he named, — some of 
the Rebels, at the same time, with a view to de- 
press his spirits, telling him, that these Friends 
had been made prisoners before he was, and 
shot at the camp at the Three Rooks. This 
communication had partially the effect they 
intended; he meekly replied, " They died in- 
nocent." He then took an affectionate fare- 
well of his wife, who, with admirable fortitude, 
stood between the two brothers, holding a hand 
of each, w T hen they were shot ; and his last 
words were reported to be those expressions of 
our Lord and Savior, which he repeated for the 
third time in the hearing of his murderers, — 
iC He that findeth his life shall lose it, and 
he that loseth his life for my sake, shall find 
it." It was cause of mournful reflection to his 
friends, that he was fired at three times before 
his death took place. He was an innocent 
young man, much beloved by his neigh- 
bors. 

It seemed as if his wife would have shared 
the same fate, had not the officer who com- 
manded interposed in her favor. She was 
permitted to convey their bodies to their for- 



Their Burial. 1G1 

mcr dwelling on a car; but not being able at 
that time, to procure coffins for them, she buried 
them in the garden. On the death of their aged 
father, which took place in the following month, 
and wasrprobably hastened by the untimely end 
of his two only sons, the bodies of the three 
were taken to the burying-ground of Friends at 
Forrest, and there interred, about seven weeks 
after. 



When similar events occur under nearly 
similar circumstances, in different ages and in 
different countries, we are in the habit of re- 
ferring them, and mostly with good reason, 
to the influence and operation of some com- 
mon principles. We judge that, whatever 
difference may exist between the custom and 
prejudic.es of one age and country and those 
of another, these customs and prejudices. have 
not the power to counterbalance the practical 
weight and authority of the principles in ques- 
tion. But if we find that these principles in- 
fluence the conduct of our fellow-creatures, 
even when they are living in a state of unculti- 
vated nature, we must be persuaded, that what- 
ever motives operate so powerfully, in rude and 
civilized society, must be built upon some endur- 
ing foundation, which times and seasons can- 
o2 



162 Reflections on ike practical Effects. 

not alter. If, besides this, we discover that, iri 
their direct effect, these principles lead to the 
welfare and happiness of man, the conclusion is 
irresistible, that they are not of mere temporary 
use, but of universal obligation, and that it is the 
duty of every individual, as well as of political 
bodies, to conform to them and thus to make them 
the rule of public and private conduct. Now such 
it may be safely alleged, are the blessed effects of 
the Principles of Peace, when in a right spirit, 
they are acted upon and obeyed, — and such 
their influence upon mankind, without restric- 
tion to Heathens or Christians, to individuals 
or nations. For, whatever individual manifest- 
ly declares and proves himself a lover and 
maker of Peace, is enabled to live compara- 
tively at peace, and is respected : and whatever 
nation holds up the same standard, and con- 
forms to the same rule, taking no undue advan- 
tage, but acting in good faith towards others, wilE 
never fail to impress the world with esteem anct 
admiration, and to hold mankind in awe by its ; 
very virtues. This is neither a new nor hypo- 
thetical ground of reasoning; it is confirmed by 
what is called profane as well as by sacred 
history. 

The preceding reflections have arisen upon 
comparing the state of the Society of Friends^ 
both at the time of the first settlement in Penn- 



Illustrations from American Indians. 163 

sylvania and afterwards, and the exceptions 
that occurred in the latter case, with the circum- 
stances and the exception which are stated 
above to have taken place in Ireland. 

It is well known that the peaceful founder 
of Pennsylvania established himself securely in 
that country, at a time when the name of a 
European was almost hateful to the Aborigines, 
on account of the perfidy and cruelty which 
the former had manifested. No other reason 
for the opposite treatment lie received, could be 
assigned but this, that he adopted a different 
line of policy. By his peaceable attitude he 
disarmed their violence ; and by his sincerity he 
gained their esteem. His towns, without either 
garrison or fortress, were protected ; at least, 
were free from assault. And Peace was 
maintained, not only with the Indian neighbors, 
but with the more dangerous Europeans, as 
long as the counsels of Pennsylvania were di- 
rected by peaceable men. When at last this 
state assumed a warlike character, it was assail- 
ed like the rest, and experienced the calamities 
of War. 

It appears also, that during the conflict be- 
tween the Anglo-Americans and the Indian 
natives, so long as the members of the Society 
remained unarmed, they escaped without in- 
jury ; but when they took up arms, or fled to 
garrison towns for protection, and happened to 



164 Illustrations from American Indians. 

fall in the way of the Indians, they lost their 
lives. 

When arms were seen in the hands of those 
who were looked upon as men of Peace, they 
excited the distrust of the warlike Indian. The 
weapon of Defence (it might only be named) to 
him who bore it, was an object of offmce to him 
who saw it ; because it conveyed the notion of 
hostility, and carried the idea of a spirit capable 
of revenge. When this appeared, the character 
of the peaceful Christian was lost, and with it 
one of the best defences with which a human 
being could be guarded. 

A Friend named Thomas Chalkly, who was 
travelling in New England in the year 1704, in- 
forms us, that " About this time the Indians 
were very barbarous in the destruction of the 
English inhabitants, scalping some and knock- 
ing out the brains of others, men, women, and 
children, by which the country was greatly al- 
armed both by night and day ; but the great 
Lord of all was pleased wonderfully to preserve 
our Friends, especially those who kept faithful 
to their peaceable principle, according to the 
doctrine of Christ in the Holy Scriptures, as 
recorded in his excellent sermon which he 
preached on the mount. 

Among the many hundreds that' were 'slain, 
he heard but of three Friends being killed ; 
and according to the information he received, 



Soiiie Friends, who were armed, suffered. 165 

their destruction was very remarkable; the one 
was a woman, the other two were men. 

" The men," he informs us, u used to go to 
labor without any weapons, and trusted to the 
Almighty, and depended on his providence to 
protect them, (it being their principle not to 
use weapons of war to offend others, or defend 
themselves;) but a spirit of distrust taking place 
in their minds, they took weapons of war to 
defend themselves; and the Indians, who had 
seen them several times without them, and let 
them alone, saying, — " They were peaceable 
men, and would hurt nobody, therefore they 
would not hurt them," — now seeing them have 
guns, and supposing they designed to kill 
the Indians, they therefore shot the men 
dead." 

"The woman had remained in her habitation, 
and could not be free to go to a fortified place 
for preservation — neither she, her son nor her 
daughter — nor to take thither the little ones ; 
but the poor woman after some time began to let 
in a slavish fear, and did advise her children to 
go with her to a Fort not far from their dwelling. 
Her daughter being one that trusted in the name 
of the Lord, the mighty tower to which the right- 
eous flee and find safety, could not consent to 
> go with her." 

The daughter testifies concerning her moth- 



166 Affecting Anecdote of a Female. 

the garrison ; but often said to many, that she 
felt herself in a beclouded condition, and more 
shut from counsel than ever she had been since 
she knew the truth;" — u and being uneasy, she 
went to move to a Friend's house, that lived in 
the neighborhood, and as she was moving, the 
bloody cruel Indians lav by the way, and killed 
her!" 

As to the young woman herself, her husband 
at first treated her impression, that it was right 
to remain quietly in her habitation, as a mere 
conceit, the offspring of delusion, and he urged 
her strongly to go to the garrison; but she told 
him " he must never ask her to move again, for 
she durst not do it." It seemed that she had 
already been prevailed upon to move to another 
house a little nearer the garrison; but had felt 
condemnation in her mind for that step. Her 
husband still urged, that it was a notion, (mean- 
ing a delusive impression) till a Friend came, 
l * who satisfied him so well, that he never asked 
her more to go, but was very well contented to 
stay all the wars; and then," she adds, " things 
were made more easy, and we saw abundance 
of the wonderful works, and of the mighty power 
of the Lord, in keeping and preserving us, when 
the Indians were at our doors and windows, and 
at other times." 

The Indians said, u They had no quarrel 



Indians did not molest Friends. 16? 

with the Quakers, for they were a quiet, peace- 
able people, and hurt nobody, and that there- 
fore none should hurt them." 

And although about this time, the Indians 
shot many people as they rode along the high- 
way, and murdered many in their beds', Friends 
travelled the country without injury. "The peo- 
ple generally rode and went to their worship 
armed, but Friends went to their meetings with- 
out either sword or gun, having their trust and 
confidence in God." See Journal of Thomas 
Chalky, Chap. 2. 

This is the testimony of an individual wor- 
thy of the fullest credit, as to matters of fact 
which occurred more than a century ago. 

Thomas Story informs us that a young man, a 
Friend, and a tanner by trade, going from the 
town to his work, with a gun in his hand, and 
another with him, without any, the Indians shot 
him who had the gun, but hurt not the other: and 
when they knew the young man they had killed 
was a Friend, they seemed to be sorry for it; but 
blamed him for carrying a gun; for they knew 
the Quakers would not fight, nor do them any 
h.arm\ and therefore, by carrying a gun, they 
took him for an enemy.''* 

If we go back to the early history of the 
Society of Friends in Ireland, we shall find 

*Clarkson's Life of Pcnn, vol. 2. 



168 State of Friends in 1 688 compared. 

that they were spread over the country in con- 
siderable numbers at the time of the Revolution 
in 1683. The difficulties and distresses, in 
which Friends were involved at that period, were 
much greater, and more extensive, than in the 
last Rebellion. We possess, indeed, few docu- 
ments from which we can draw a fair compari- 
son. But, so far as authentic information reach- 
es, it appears, that, by keeping true to their 
peaceable principles, the members of the Society, 
who lived in districts, a prey to violence and de- 
predation, were often made instrumental in sav- 
ing the lives of their neighbors, having generally 
found favor with the Government, and con- 
ducting themselves without offence to the peo- 
ple. 

Considering also their numbers, and the man- 
ner in which they were exposed, by attending 
duly their religious meetings, their lives were 
signally preserved. 

William Edmundstone, a valuable Friend, re- 
siding in the Queen's County, who had been a 
soldier himself, and kept a Journal of some 
of the transactions of that period, has left the 
following important testimony: — J* 

"The Earl of Tyrconnel, then Lord Deputy 
of Ireland, armed the Irish, and disarmed most 
of the English, so that great fear came upon 
the Protestants : most of the great leading. 



State of the Society about 16U 

men, and many others, left their places and 
substances, and went for England, others of 
them got into garrisons, and those that staid in 
their dwellings lay open to spoil. An open 
war soon broke out, and abundance of the 
Irish (who went in bands, but were not of the 
army) called Rapparees (or Tories) plunder- 
ed and spoiled many of the English Protes- 
tants : also many of the army, that were un- 
der command in troops and companies, were 
very much abusive, being countenanced by 

their officers. " — W. E. concluded that 

these abuses were " a contrivance to alarm 
and affright all the English, to make them run 
for England." 

On several occasions he exerted himself with 
good effect by applying personally to tho Gov- 
ernment for the relief of his friends and neigh- 
bors. '* ic I was often," he says., " at Dublin, 
and used what interest I had gotten with the 
Government for the public good. And as the 
Irish army were marching to the North against 
the Protestants there in arms, I was much con- 
cerned with some Friends in Dublin, to use 
all our interest with the chief officers, to spare 
and be kind to our Friends in the North, for 
they were not in arms; and many of them 
promised they would, and performed their pro- 
mises." 

" Now calamity increased, the Rapparees, 
p 



170 Friends Preserved. 

on one hand plundered and spoiled many of 
the English, and on the other hand, the army 
marching and quartering, took what they pleas- 
ed from us; and our families were their ser- 
vants, to make what we had ready for them : 
and it looked like a sudden famine, there was 
such great destruction. 

" In those times I was much in Dublin, ap- 
plying to the Government in behalf of the 
country, for the Lord had given Friends fa- 
vor with the Government, and they would 
hear my complaint, and gave forth several or- 
ders to magistrates and officers of the army, 
to suppress Rapparees ; and restrain their abu- 
ses; and they stood a little in awe of me, for 
they knew I had an interest with the Govern- 
ment. " 

u Now was wickedness let loose and, got an 
head, so that by violence and cruelty most of 
our Protestant neighbors were forced from their 
dwellings and several families came to my house 
until every room was full ; also most of their 
cattle, that were left they brought to my land, 
thinking themselves and goods safer there than 
elsewhere. Now were we under great exercise 
and danger, not only of losing our goods, but 
our lives. 

" At the Boyne fight, the Irish army being 
beaten, many of them fled our road, and plun- 
dered many in our parts; they plundered my 



Their Property often destroyed* 17 1 

house several times over The English 

army did not come near us for some time, and, 
to look outwardly, we were exposed to the wills 
of cruel, blood-thirsty men. 

" When the English and Scotch came into 

those parts, they plundered the Irish. — 

Frequently, when the English soldiers took away 
the Irish people's cattle, I persuaded them to 
give some of them again, or bought them for a 
small matter with my own money, and gave them 
to the owners; also let their horses graze on my 
land, to save them from the plunderers." 

When the English army went into winter 
quarters, the Rapparees increased in numbers 
and violence; and notwithstanding the services 
W. E. had often rendered them, one night they 
set fire to his house, and took him and his two 
sons to murder them. But they were providen- 
tially preserved, though W. E. had to endure 
severe hardship and imprisonment afterwards, 
which nearly cost him his life.* 

Many other Friends suffered the loss of their 
property, and their lives were also endangered; 
of whom further particulars may be seen in 
Rutty's History of the Society in Ireland. — 
The following cases may be interesting to the 
reader. 

" At the town of Cavan (a place that lay 

* Sag Wm. Edmunstone's Journal, Sections xi end xii. 



172 Instances recorded. 

open to both the armies and to the cruelty of 
the rabble) several Friends kept their places and 
dwellings, and held their usual meetings; and 
though sometimes, in skirmishes between two 
armies, many were slain, yet Friends' lives 
were wonderfully preserved, though in their out- 
ward substances they were spoiled and stripped, 
and at last commanded by the chief officer of 
the Irish army to depart, and, their houses were 
burnt." 

" Near Edenderry (an open place much ex- 
posed to the Rapparees,) Friends were greatly 
spoiled in their flocks and outward substance, 
but their lives were wonderfully preserved though 
the bloody Rapparees broke in upon the town 
one night and burnt part of it, and killed some 
ofthe inhabitants." 

At Moate Granoge, six miles v from Athlone, 
the latter of which was then a chief Irish gar- 
rison, and a noted place of refuge, to which the 
Rapparees, after scouring the country, carried 
their spoils, " John Clibborn kept his place long 
in danger, as did most Friends of that Meeting, 
which they still kept up with great difficulty. — 
While J. C. could possibly keep his house, it 
was open to all, and a succor to many, both 
Friends and others, and in times of great 
skirmishes and slaughter, he did not flee till 
at length most hardly used, plundered, and 
quite spoiled in his outward substance." He 



Instances recorded. 173' 

was threatened with death, and his house was 
burnt. 

" Mountmellick and Montrath, two country 
unwalled towns, by reason of their bordering 
upon the bogs and mountains, often had great 
store of the ravenous Rapparees haunting them; 
and being places of little or no defence, Friends 
that dwelt in them sustained a large share of the 
many hardships of the calamitous times, and 
were greatly exerised under a concern both for 
their families and neighbors, still keeping up 
their meetings with an eye to the Lord, who 
did not leave nor forsake his people in their 
many trials, but wonderfully provided for them ; 
so that it is to be admired how their little 
stock for their families held out. considering 
how their houses were filled with people, 
and many alarms came from the Irish, threat- 
ening to destroy those places, and kill all the 
English. " 

u Gershon Boat, dwelling at Borrisaleagh, 
remote from Friends, and ten miles from any 
meeting, in a place of some strength, suffered 
many hardships, and escaped many dangers both 
at home and on the road going to meetings: his 
house being often set upon by the Irish, both of 
the army and Tories, but he was wonderfully 
delivered out of their hands ; and many English 
families, both Priests and others, were succor- 
es there, and heloed on their way, who had 
v2 l 






174 Instances recorded. 

been much spoiled and stripped in the Irish 
quarters where they dwelt." 

After enumerating these and other instances 
of the kind, the author of the history remarks, 
— "These particulars may show the eminent 
providential hand of the Lord over Friends, and 
his care and kindness to preserve them in the 
midst of such great perils : and many more 
might be instanced; and though in those times, 
many of the English neighbors fell by the hands 
of those bloody murderers, yet we know but of 
four that we could own to be of our Society, 
in all the nation, that fell by the hands of cru- 
elty, and two of them too for tear dly ventured their 
lives when they were lost." 

u And it is remarkable that Friends' meetings 
were preserved peaceable, and that they kept 
their meetings according to the usual manner 
for the worship of God, as well as for church 
discipline, without much disturbance from either 
party; though many times Friends went to them 
in great perils, by reason of the Rapparees, who 
in many places waylaid people to rob and mur- 
der them." 

After these trials, which lasted nearly three 
years, were over, in the year 1692, it was 
computed that the losses of Friends through- 
out the nation amounted in the [whole to 
£100,000. To many of the sufferers relief 
had been afforded by their sympathizing breth- 



" 



Assisted by their absent Friends. 175 

ren in Ireland: and Friends in London signified 
their readiness to assist them. But it appears, 
that, as at first, the several provinces were ahle 
to help one another, the friendly offer was de- 
clined with suitable acknowledgments; after- 
wards, however, they accepted of their distant 
friends' benevolence, to the amount of nearly 
,£2000. 

Even from Friends in Barbadoes, the sum of 
,£100 was sent for the relief of Friends in Ire- 
land, on this occasion. Thus were the members 
of, the Society, wherever scattered, nearly unit- 
ed in sympathy and affection.* 



The following extract from Ramond's Trav- 
els in the Pyrenees, contains some reflections 
that are worthy of being added to this chap- 
ter. 

Speaking of the Spanish smugglers, he says, 
u These smugglers are as adroit as they are 
determined, are familiarized at all times with 
peril, and march in the very face of death; 
their first movement is a never-failing shot, and 
certainly would be a subject of dread to most 

*See History of the Rise and Progress of the People 
called Quakers, in Ireland, from the year 1653 to 1750, 
by Thomas Wight and John Rutty, Ch. 2> 



176 Illustratioju from the 

travellers; for where are they to he dreaded 
more than in deserts, where crime has nothing 
to witness it, and the feeble no assistance? As 
for myself, alone and unarmed, I have met them 
without anxiety, and have accompanied them 
without fear. We have little to apprehend 
from men whom we inspire with no distrust 
nor envy, and every thing to expect in those 
from whom we claim only what is due from 
man to man. The laws of nature still exist 
for those who have long shaken off the laws 
of civil government. At war with society, 
they are sometimes at peace with their fellows. 
The assassin has been my £tiide in the defiles 
of the boundaries of Italy; the smuggler of the 
Pyrenees has received me with a welcome in 
his secret paths. 

" Armed, I should have been the enemy of 
both; unarmed, they have alike respected me. 
In such expectation, 1 have long since laid aside 
all menacing apparatus tvhatever. Arms may 
indeed be employed against the ivild beast, but 
no one should forget that they are no defence 
against the traitor; that they irritate the wick- 
ed, and intimidate the simple: lastly thai the 
man of peace, among mankind, has a much more 
sacred defence — Ms character." . 

When such feelings as these arise in the 
breast of a man, who, simply from outward 
observation, is led to view human nature as a 



LM 



Conduct of Spanish Smugglers. 177 

compound of good and evil, that may be concil- 
iated by kindness, and aggrieved by the con- 
trary : how strong, in the eyes of the Christian, 
must be the sanction of principles derived from 
the spirit of his holy religion, whose direct ob- 
ject it is to cherish such benevolent dispositions > 
as would lead to universal peace and harmony 
in the world, if men would suffer themselves to 
be influenced by them, in their conduct towards 
each other. 



CHAPTER VIL 



OF THE BROTHERLY CARE OF THE SOCIETY TO- 
WARDS ITS SUFFERING MEMBERS. 



It has already been stated that on the first 
appearance of the civil feuds, which ushered in 
the Rebellion of 1798, even so early as the 
year 1795, the Society of Friends exercised F a 
consistent care in advising its members to de- 
stroy their arms, that they might on all hands 
keep themselves free from the stain of blood. 
We have now to record the fact of their broth- 
erly sympathy being extended in deeds of ac- 
tive benevolence towards those families and 
individuals, who, by reason of their severe los- 
ses., were so reduced as to stand in need of 



178 The Society appoints a Committee. 

their Friends' assistance. The proofs of a 
wise Christian economy are no less manifest 
in the latter case than the former. 

A committee of the Yearly Meeting held 
in Dublin was very early appointed to take 
the circumstances of their suffering brethren 
into consideration; for many, who had been 
blessed with comfortable homes and means of 
supporting their families, were left almost desti- 
tute; and this committee recommended a vol- 
untary subcription to be raised by the different 
Monthly Meetings for their relief. 

The following is an extract from the report of 
this committee, presented to the Yearly Meeting 
in 1799. It will be seen that they scrupled con- 
scientiously to seek redress for their losses by 
the usual legal means: 

u We apprehend it proper to inform the 
Yearly Meeting, that shortly after our appoint- 
ment, divers members of our religious So- 
ciety having suffered loss and damage in their 
substance, in various ways, by the commo- 
tions which were in this nation, we came 
to the judgment, that it would be inconsistent 
for any of our members, in most, if not in all 
cases, to seek for, or to receive compensation 
from government, or other legal redress by 
presentment: and we, having received ac- 
count, that, in different parts, divers Friends 
had suffered so materially as to stand in need 



They report on the Fund. 179 

of assistance, recommended to the different 
Monthly Meetings, to set forward a liberal 
subscription, to afford some relief to those 
Friends. In consequence whereof, the sum of 
,£3847 : 7 : 9i has been subscribed and re- 
ceived; and a number of suffering cases hav- 
ing been laid before us, we have adjudged the 
sum of £2\lll : 7 : 2£ for their relief; their 
losses appearing to amount to upwards of 
£7500, exclusive of many cases not yet dis- 
posed of, or returned; and there remains a 
fund of £1630 : 4 : 7 still to be applied for 
this purpose. We have also received account 
of ^the losses of sundry Friends, to a consid- 
erable amount, whose circumstances did not 
make it necessary for them to need any relief 
at present. 

The Memorial issued by the Yearly Meeting 
in 1810 relative to this event, proceeds to 
state — 

" The said committee further reported to the 
Yearly Meeting in 1800, viz. ■ We have attend- 
ed to the cases of those Friends who have suf- 
fered in the late commotions, and believe suita- 
ble assistance has been afforded to such; and 
that there are not now likely to be any further 
cases transmitted to the committee. The 
amount distributed to those who appeared to 
stand in need thereof, is £2852 : 15 : 10t|r, and 
the balance remaining iu the Treasurer's hands, 



170 Assistance is offered by 

being <£994 : 15: 11, we have to come to the 
judgment that it be returned to the different 
Monthly Meetings, in proportion to the sums 
sent up by them; and that it ought to be return- 
ed in like proportion to the Friends subscribing 
the same." 

The document of 1810 further states, that 
" The Yearly Meeting in London in 1799, be- 
ing dipped into sympathy with Friends in Ire- 
land, cordially offered their assistance, if further 
exigencies should require. 

u Neither did distance of place prevent our 
brethren in a distant land from desiring to con- 
tribute to the necessities of their Friends in 
distress: for, by the following extract from 
the Epistle from the Yearly Meeting held in 
Philadelphia in 4th month, 1799, it appears 
that the same spirit of brotherly affection and 
sympathy prevailed in the hearts of Friends 
here." 

Sl We retain in affectionate remembrance 
the sympathy of Friends in your nation, and 
the generous relief you afforded to our breth- 
ren who were much stripped of their pro- 
perty by the war in this country some years 
since: and we are thankful in feeling a de- 
gree of the same brotherly love, by which we 
are made one in the LORD, wherever dis- 
persed or situated; desiring if, at this time, or 
in consequence of future trials, brethren among 



Friends in England and America. 181 

you should be reduced to similar circumstances, 
we may receive information and be permitted 
to follow your benevolent example." 

This affectionate proposal was gratefully ac- 
knowledged by the Yearly Meeting in Dublin 
in 1801, in its Epistle to the Yearly Meeting in 
Philadelphia, in these terms: "Your Epistle, 
given forth in 1799, addressed to Friends in Ire- 
land we received; which feelingly carried with 
it genuine marks of strong affection, and near 
sympathy with us, under the trials, which 
Friends in this land previous thereto, and about 
that time labored under. 

< c It is cause of humble thankfulness that the 
Dispensation was not of a very long continu- 
ance, though many Friends suffered deeply in 
their property while the conflict continued : and 
it was much more severe in some parts of the 
nation than others. 

" A considerable sum was raised, which, 
under direction and management of a National 
Committee, was administered to the relief of the 
sufferers in such proportion, as, from the ac- 
counts transmitted of their loss and circum- 
stances, they appeared to require. When 
these wants were supplied, there was ~a re- 
dundancy, which was directed to be returned 
to the subscribers; so that we do not at pre- 
sent stand in need of making any further use 
of your brotherly intimation of affording assist- 
ed 



1 82 Reflections on this 

ance than that of expressing a grateful sense 
thereof* 

Without question, it must afford a pleasing 
reflection to every humane mind, that a Re- 
ligious Society, conformably to the analogy of 
the outward body, should, in this way, suffer and 
sympathize in the sufferings of all its members; 
and, though dispersed over a nation, should con- 
stitute as it were, but a single family, bound 
together by common interests. 

Viewed abstractedly as the effect of a benevo- 
lent Christian economy, practised in a particular 
Society, the fact must be a source of grati- 
fication, that strangers, even in distant countries, 
should offer their kind assistance to those in 
need. For we are told that the Friends in Eng- 
land, and even in America, requested permission 
to send their contributions, should they be re- 
quired. 

But contemplating the fact, as if the same 
principles of conduct might be made applicable 
to the whole Christian community, how consol- 
ing and animating would be the prospect of all 
the members of the Christian Church, how- 
ever scattered, and however divided by minute 
shades of opinion, being brought to unite in 
the bond of Peace, in a common desire to 
do each other good, to obey the same rule, 
and to adopt in their practice the same prin- 
ciples- 



• • 



brotherly Care and Sympathy. 183 

It would require no great stretch of faith to 
believe, that conduct like this would lead them 
to a union which no earthly power could 
shake, and that Jews, Mahometans, and -Pa- 
gans, would bow down with reverence to the 
spirit of Christianity, and surrender their might 
before the excellency of such a peaceful do- 
minion. Because, these, constituting part of 
the humaa family, and therefore objects of 
this Catholic benevolence, would receive from 
their Christian neighbors such lessons of Peace 
and Good-will, as would imbue them with kind 
dispositions, and take away all evil intentions 
from their minds. 

It could not injure any, whatever might be 
their opinions with regard to the necessity of 
War, to study with deep attention the moral 
effect of this Christian spirit of universal charity; 
which has thus a tendency to unite together na- 
tions, kindreds, and people, as children of one 
parent, and servants of one Lord — "thinking 
no evil," '* forbearing one another," u loving 
one another," " preferring one another, " c, seek- 
ing the good of all;" — and to compare it with 
the opposite spirit, which is ever busy in dis- 
covering faults, in awakening evil surmisings, 
in sowing the seeds of contention, and setting 
man at variance with man, in kindling the 
flame of War, and promoting the misery, de- 
moralization, and destruction of the human 



184 Reflections on this 

race. How can we conceive it possible that 
these opposite dispositions should ever be brought 
to coincide in the perfect character, the true dis- 
ciple of Jesus Christ? 

Is it possible that the same individual can be 
actuated at the same time by the maxims and 
principles of Peace, and the maxims and prin- 
ciples of War? But, if these are incompatible, 
and War could be tolerated under the Christian 
code; then the maxims and principles of Peace 
might be dispensed with under the same code. 
Where shall we find the authority for thus 
stripping off the distinguishing badge of the 
Christian, that he may be fitted for the field 
of battle? There is no such authority: It is op- 
posed by every rule and maxim; by every law 
and principle, in the New Testament. Conse- 
quently, the maxims and principles of Peace 
cannot, under any circumstances, be dispensed 
with; and warlike habits and dispositions are 
entirely incompatible with the meek and for- 
giving spirit of Christianity. The rule of ex- 
pediency, as it is called, may promise much; 
and men may employ their sophistry in attempt- 
ing to reconcile the two characters. But cal- 
culations of present advantage can never be 
admitted to form a part of the motives by which 
a Christian should be governed; nor will he, 
who, in simplicity of heart, wishes to follow the 
example of a meek and forgiving Savior, with 



j 



brotherly Care and Sympathy. 185 

faithful obedience to his laws, and humble con- 
fidence in his Divine Protection, ever be jus- 
tified in forsaking the direct and strait-forward 
course of integrity, though life and property may 
seem to be at stake, for the serpentine mazes 
of a wily policy, by which he might bring him- 
self to think that he could secure these transitory 
blessings. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. 

— ^©©— 

Some observations naturally present them- 
selves to the mind, on reading the foregoing 
narrative. 

We have seen that in a time of civil com- 
motion, in which it would be difficult to con- 
ceive a state of things attended in some places 
with more aggravated circumstances, a number 
of individuals, following the benevolent precepts 
of the Gospel, were enabled to keep themselves 
free from party- feelings to open their houses, 
and to lend their assistance, to the distressed 
of whatever denomination ; and, finally, were 
permitted to experience preservation in the 



186 Concluding Observations, 

midst of a most barbarous and destructive war- 
fare. 

We have seen that this exemplary humanity 
and this remarkable preservation, were not 
confined to one or a few individuals in a particu- 
lar spot ; but were common to a considerable 
number of persons, in different parts of an exten- 
sive country, professing and following the same 
principles. 

We have seen tfeat when they were threat- 
ened with the burning of their habitations, the 
destruction of their families; and the loss of 
their own lives, if they persisted in acts de- 
nounced by their enemies; they were favor- 
ed with fortitude, notwithstanding, to pursue 
that line of conduct which they believed to be 
consistent with their duty, fearlessly and faith- 
fully, in the presence of armed multitudes, who 
seemed even to be kept in awe by their Christian 
magnanimity. 

We have seen that the signal preservation 
which the members of the Society were favored 
to experience, was marked by one exception, in 
the case of a young man, who fell a victim to his 
own temerity; and that the peculiar circum- 
stances, under which this apparent exception 
took place, serve rather to illustrate and estab- 
lish, than to invalidate the principles, by which 
the Society was governed. 

In addition to these things, we have to 



Concluding Observations. 187 

notice, in the economy of the Society itself, 
the sympathy and brotherly kindness manifested 
not only by their countrymen, but by Friends 
at a distance: by the first, in coming forward 
to relieve their suffering brethren, and by the 
last, in offers of assistance, should it be re- 
quired. 

Upon a consideration of all these things, a 
number of reflections offer themselves to our 
notice. 

In the first place, we naturally (eel a desire 
that principles, like those, by which this body of 
Christians were actuated, should prevail more 
generally in the world; and we are led to in- 
quire, if it be not possible, that moral effects, 
which took place on a small scale, should take 
place also on a larger; that a beginning might 
thus be made for that glorious consummation, 
when men shall learn war no more. 

We must be satisfied that what is wanting, 
in the first instance, is courage to maintain the 
self-denying and peaceable principles of the 
Gospel; and if examples be required in addition, 
then by the facts we have recorded, we give 
the advocates of War decisive proofs, that these 
principles are not visionary and inapplicable 
to the state of civil society; but that they are 
substantial and efficient when brought into oper- 
ation, contributing to the preservation of indi- 



133 Concluding Observations. 

viduals, and to the general good of the Human 
Family. 

Can we reasonably doubt, if the numbers 
of those, who amidst the horrors of this Re- 
bellion, acted upon these principles, and endea- 
vored thus to fulfil their duties to their fellow- 
creatures, had been still greater, that the tri- 
umph of humanity, or of peaceable practices 
over warlike, would also have been greater, 
and that many who fell victims, would have been 
spared? 

In proportion as the elements of Peace en- 
croach upon and displace and elements of War, 
the force of the latter must become weaker: 
In other words, in proportion to the numbers 
of those, who lift up the standard of Peace, in 
any country, Peace is diligently pursued, and 
religiously preserved; and the sparks of con- 
tention, whenever they appear, as when wa- 
ter is cast upon fire, are stifled and extin- 
guished. 

For, as this devouring element only spreads 
among combustible materials, and when these 
are wanting, it must cease; so the passions of 
revenge and cruelty, when they are opposed 
by meekness and benevolence, having no food 
for the flame, must of necessity be calmed and 
appeased. 

Were a whole nation to act upon these 
principles, what an example it would be to the 



Concluding Observations. 189 

wojld ? — and is there any wrath or violence of 
man it could have cause to fear? 

If the life of one man is preserved, who, in 
time of imminent peril, conscientiously displays 
the mark of true discipleship, in love to his en- 
emy as well as to his brother, we rejoice at the 
event, though as an isolated example, we might 
not perhaps be induced to build upon it, in our 
future conduct. But if a number, acting upon 
the same principles, under very various circum- 
stances, are found to experience preservation, 
we have then something like the proofs afforded 
by matter of fact, to lead us to entertain a ques- 
tion upon the possibility of the same effects 
resulting from the same causes, on a still larger 
scale, if men would only have courage to make 
the experiment. 

If, in addition to the evidence, derived from 
experience, of the efficacy of peaceable con- 
duct, we have the precept and example of Him 
who pronounced his blessing upon the Peace- 
maker, what stronger sanction can a sincere 
Christian look for, to determine him to re- 
nounce the spirit and the trade of War, and to 
enlist himself under the banner of the Prince of 
Peace ? 

And, as we could not, rationally, and, cer- 
tainly not as Christians, contend, that a length- 
ened existence was a proof of peculiar favor, 
in a pilgrimage like that of the present life, in 



/ 



190 



Concluding Observations. 



which some of the best of men have been per- 
mitted to run but a short career, before they 
were summoned to their reward; we are called 
upon religiously to adhere to our principles in 
times of outward extremity, without any pro- 
spective view to a limited or a protracted du- 
ration. The Supreme Being is surely not less 
merciful to some of his creatures, because 
he permits them to fall a sacrifice to the 
sword of the cruel, in order that they may 
be translated a little sooner, than would oth- 
erwise be their lot, to the regions of bliss and 
immortality. 

The sword of the cruel, we cannot for a mo- 
ment doubt, has never been permitted to cut off 
the innocent, without a merciful design to the 
sufferer, and a gracious purpose of watering and 
multiplying the seed of the true Church with 
the martyr's blood. For whosoever has died in 
the faithful support of his Christian testimonies, 
has, in all ages, been a martyr, and, we may 
confidently say, that his blood has not been shed 
upon the earth in vain. 

Whenever violence, therefore, has been per- 
mitted to gain, as it were, a temporary advan- 
tage over the meek and unresisting spirit of 
Christianity — which is the spirit of Peace — 
we are warranted in concluding that it has been 
for some special end. And what are we to con- 
sider that end, but the ultimate triumph of Good 



Concluding Observations. 191 



'IS 



over Evil, and consequently, the enlargement 
of the Messiah's kingdom ? In all ages, when 
devoted and faithful martyrs have sealed their 
testimony with their blood, it has proved a seed 
more or less fruitful, according to a variety of 
concomitant circumstances. In different periods 
of the Church, its living members have had to 
pass through different dispensations, adapted to 
the exigencies of the times; in some, more 
humiliating, in others, more triumphant — in all, 
deeply baptizing to themselves. But, the 
self-denying spirit of Christianity requires, that, 
in all cases, the possessions and honors of 
this world, and even life itself, should be held 
in light estimation, compared with the joys, 
and rewards, and glories of immortality. — 
When violence, therefore, in a dark and de- 
generate age, may be allowed to prevail over 
Christian meekness, as if there was no Provi- 
dence to protect the good, it cannot be consis- 
tently supposed, that these are actually forsaken; 
and that the possession of property and of life, 
secured by means of active resistance, is to be 
accounted a sign of Divine favor, justifying the 
use of arms. 

In such an age, for inscrutible purposes, ex- 
amples are perhaps more necessary to be made 
to the world, of the sufferings, than of the tri- 
umphs, of Christianity. 

I3ut, if, in former times, Christians were 



/, 



192 Concluding Observations. 

called upon lo seal their testimony with their 
blood, can they now refuse to do the same, 
when present advantage may come in compe- 
tition with the duties of Love and Forbear- 
ance ? 

If men are determined in their minds to live 
at ease, at all hazards, and conceive that Christ- 
ianity does not now require of them sacrifices, 
which it did in the first ages of the Church, they 
will, unquestionably, suffer the standard of the 
Cross to fall from their hands, rather than ex- 
pose themselves to suffering, and perhaps to con- 
tempt, in the support of it. 

While on the one hand, therefore, it is certain, 
that no degree of bitterness and persecution can 
extinguish the light of the true Church ; on the 
other, all those, who endeavor to hold up this 
light in its purity to the world — whether it be to 
an age sunk in ignorance, or carelessly repos- 
ing in the false light of philosophy — are as stars 
in the firmament, and as witnesses of imperish- 
able renown, who have borne a noble testimony 
for the Truth, and will be accessory, in their 
measure, to its ultimate triumph over darkness 
and delusion. Hence, as a faithful and con- 
scientious support of any Christian Testimony, 
even if the sacrifice should proceed as far as 
the stake or the cross, will infallibly strength- 
en the bonds and attachments to the Christ- 
ian Church, and help to keep its holy flame 



Concluding Observations. 193 

alive in the earth; so every Christian, who, in 
a meek and peaceable spirit, suffers wrong, 
either in person or property, from violent men, 
exalts the character of his religion in the eyes 
of the world ; and, after the glorious example 
of his Divine Master, in his measure, holds 
up, for imitation, the same spirit of meekness, 
forbearance, and universal benevolence, that 
was in Christ. 

This, therefore, is the peculiar feature of the 
Gospel, which is calculated, more than any other, 
to excite the love and admiration of the world. 
For it is almost impossible that rational beings 
should contemplate a religion, which looks up- 
on all men with peace and good-will, and ena- 
bles its followers, to forgive them that offend, 
to love their enemies , to do good even to them 
that hcte, and to bless them that persecute, 
without feelings of admiration, and of. rever- 
ence for its Divine precepts. 

It is indeed to be acknowledged, that events, 
like some of those we have been relating, have a 
tendency to rouse our honest indignation against 
cruelty, perpetrated, or designed: so that, in the 
natural heat of the mind, we are almost tempt- 
ed, like some formerly, to pray that we might be 
armed with power to execute summary ven- 
geance upon the authors and projectors of 
such atrocities : these are natural feelings, 
fcut thev are not Christian. And while it is 



194 Concluding Observations 



■t> 



the duty of an honest historian, with just abhor- 
rence of crime, to defail facts as they occurred, 
it is also the duty of a fellow-mortal, to temper 
this indignation, with feelings of Christian com- 
passion. While we lament the vices of others, 
let us not forget our own infirmities, and our 
own duties. If these are not Christian duties, 
what are they to be denominated ? Are we at 
liberty to take the natural impulses, which 
are common to us with the brutes, and flourish 
most in the most barbarous state of human 
society, for rules of conduct and motives of 
action, more obligatory, than the moderating, 
humanizing, and restraining precepts of the 
Gospel 1 

It is not presumed that the conquest over 
our own passions and resentments is easily ac- 
quired. Like other Christian duties, the sub- 
jection of our natural impulses is a work of 
time, and discipline, and labor. No man can 
at once be brought to see that it would be wrong 
to take the life of a remorseless assassin, who is 
dealing destruction around him, aa with an in- 
satiable thirst for human blood ; yet no man, 
who professes Christian principles, can doubt 
that there is a power able to control his fury, 
if consistent with Divine mercy that it should 
be controlled. And, surely, various effectual 
means are in the power, and at the disposal, 
of the wise and good, both to restrain and to 



Concluding Observations. 195 



'■s 



punish the murderer, without either taking 
away his life or violating their own Christian 
principles. 

On a solemn review, therefore, of the two 
states — that of the ferocious murderer, cut off 
in the midst of his crimes, or that of an inno- 
cent victim prepared for a better life ; which 
is most entitled to our serious commiseration ? 
— He, who yields up his life, with a meek and 
forgiving disposition, in obedience to the law, 
and after the example of Christ; or he who is 
cut down in his enormities, and sent unprepared 
to the bar of the Righteous Avenger ? — Surely, 
the latter. 

But, if it be said, that this reasoning does 
not so much apply to the conflict of the inno- 
cent and cruel, as to that between one of the 
latter and a human being not yet in a situation 
fitting hitn to appear before his Maker ; and 
hence, that such a one ought to guard his 
existence by every means in his power, in order 
that he may be better prepared. A very brief 
remark may be made in reply, that the per- 
fect rules of Christian excellence cannot be mod- 
ified or lowered, at the will of man ; so as to 
acquit any who may content themselves with 
the adoption of measures, which, so far from 
being allowed, are strictly forbidden, even 
to tire most upright pillars of the Christian 
Faith. 



196 Concluding Observations. 

When we can find in the New Testament 
two paths for Christian travellers ; — one for the 
more advanced, and another laid down for him 
who is not disposed to walk in such a straight 
and narrow way ; then, indeed, some relaxation 
of Christian precepts may be allowed : but, if it 
be granted to one, it must be so to all. And, 
as there is plainly but one code, admitting of 
neither exceptions nor reservations, no man can 
expect to justify himself in any act that does not 
come up to the full measure of the excellence, 
and unsophisticated construction, of the sacred 
rule. 

Is a Christian, then, to take the law of vio- 
lence in his own hands, to avenge himself by 
the strength of his own arm, for wrongs he may 
either fear or suffer ? Or is he, in humble re- 
liance upon Providence, to oppose his integrity, 
and his innocence, and the weight of his Chris- 
tian testimonies, to the arms and outrage of the 
violent ? 

If we reason with those, who answer the 
first question in the affirmitive, we find, that 
they readily admit, that it is a praiseworthy 
self-devotion to lay down our lives for our 
country, or in defence of our civil liberties, or 
of our kindred ; but, at the same time, insinu- 
ate that it is mean and ignoble to die for our 
religion, in the peaceable support and vindica- 
tion of any of our testimonies. That is to say, 



Concluding Observations. 197 

according to their views — It is more the duty 
of a Christian to sacrifice his life in the defence 
of earthly comforts and attractions, than to lay 
it down, if he should fall into the hands of the 
cruel, who will not respect his testimonies, in 
that meek and. forgiving spirit, which his relig- 
ion enjoins, with the prospect of eternal happi- 
ness as the reward of his obedience: — To se- 
cure the fame of a patriot, or for some other 
sublunary object, he may lose his life with hon- 
or ; but to secure an object, that is eternal, the 
sacrifice is accounted ignominious ! — In the 
short and weary pilgrimage of this life, which 
has, in reality, few objects deserving the exclu- 
sive notice of the true Christian, he may die 
nobly for some stake of little value, whose im- 
portance is magnified by its nearness; but to 
lay down his life for a crown of immortality, he 
is to be considered a zealot or enthusiast, be- 
cause the object, though of transcendant mo- 
ment, is a little more distant. 

Patriotism is, undoubtedly, commendable, 
and they, who have died in the cause of civil 
liberty, deserve their due meed of honor. But 
patriotism without Christianity, can only erect 
a baseless fabric that must crumble into ruins. 
The only enduring support of civil liberty is 
the Gospel, with its humanizing, emancipating, 
soul-expanding institutions. When patriotism 
r2 



198 Concluding Observations. 



ts 



is put over this vita! spring of all virtue, then 
the glory of this world is made to eclipse the 
brighter glory of that which is to come. lt If 
my kingdom were, of this world, then would my 
servants fight" The most valuable legacy, 
which a man can leave his country, is a life 
devoted to the practical illustration of one or 
more of his Christian testimonies, maintained 
in their original purity. The mind of man, 
however enlightened, can excogitate nothing 
more excellent, nothing more conducive to the 
well-being of society, nothing more useful to 
the whole race, than the precepts of the Gos- 
pel. For what do they comprehend but the 
very spirit of universal charity ? Peace on 
earth and GOOD- will to men are the objects 
aimed at by the promulgation of this blessing 
— the foundation on which it rests, and the 
source from which all its institutions are de- 
rived. Hence, true patriotism may display it- 
self efficiently and usefully without taking up 
arms, either to defend rights or to secure privi- 
leges ; for the patriotism of a Christian is con- 
tinually aiming at the highest interests of man ; 
and as the propagation of the Gospel needs not 
the aid of the sword, patriotism, viewed in this 
light, cannot need it. 

We take it for granted, that it is upon the 
broad basis of Christian principles alone that 



Concluding Observations. 199 

reasonings against the use of arms ought to be 
founded : for as much as the Church of Christ 
has never required the aid of the sword for its 
propagation — nay, has been signally retarded in 
its course, whenever this false friend has come 
forward to its assistance. 

Now, as we read in history, that there 
have been periods of depression in the Church, 
so we are to consider, that there may be such 
again, in which Christians may be called upon 
to lay down their lives in obedience to their 
testimonies ; consequently, that violence may 
be permitted again, as in former ages, to shed 
the blood of faithful witnesses, as in the streets. 
Upon these principles we could not expect that, 
at all times and under all circumstances, 
the lives of peaceful Christians should be 
spared. „ 

The Gospel, in its purity, has many valu- 
able testimonies besides that in favor of peace 
and harmony amongst men : Some persons, we 
know, have yielded up their lives on mere points 
of faith, which their adversaries were not in a 
state of mind to comprehend ; but there is no 
human being who can shut his heart or his un- 
derstanding against the influence of peaceable, 
unoffending conduct. 

It would therefore appear that, whenever a 
stand has been conscientiously made on the one 
single testimony against War, either by many 



200 Concluding Observations* 



■5 



or by few, preservation of life has in a remark- 
able manner, been experienced. And it may 
be for this reason, that there is no other 
Christian testimony, in the support of which 
the meek and humble disciple is led to evince, 
more conspicuously, his allegiance, and child- 
like dependance upon the immediate protection 
of an Almighty Parent; no other testimony 
which is more calculated to win the disaffect- 
ed, to tame the cruel, and to soften the vio- 
lent. 

And on this grond, which seems to have 
more reference to the natural effects of peace- 
able conduct, than to the principle as a Christ- 
ian tenet, an objection may be noticed, which 
is sometimes put forward, in the shape of a con- 
clusive argument, against the disciple of Peace, 
by his opponents. 

They suppose a man, who may suddenly 
profess to act according to peaceable principles, 
to be all at once involved in some serious crisis 
of difficulty and danger ; and, under these 
circumstances, if he cannot escape from the 
difficulty, by a strict adherence to his piinci- 
ples, they are ready, forthwith, to question the 
doctrine and its practical application. For,, 
they hastily conclude, that his principles, being 
as they suppose, too refined for use, cannot be- 
maintained in practice ; without seeming to 
consider that he might have been instrument 



j—i- 



Concluding Observations. 201 

tal in bringing upon himself the dangers in 
which he is involved, by giving way to princi- 
ples of an opposite tendency, in his previous 
conduct. 

Now, this is not a fair supposition, nor is it a 
fair predicament in which to place him. 

We have before said, that a man cannot at 
once be brought to see that it is wrong to take 
the life of a remorseless assassin. We now 
say, on the other hand, that when a man has 
been for a long time sowing the seeds Qf con- 
tention, and has in this way made himself liable 
to the consequences ; and then impelled by fear 
or by a better motive, suddenly repents of his 
anti-christian conduct, and takes up a reso- 
lution to change it; he ought not to expect 
that he should instantly reap the fiuits of 
Peace, nor ought he (if, indeed, ever) to pre- 
sume upon Divine protection, in such circum- 
stances. 

For, in so far as the systematic lover of 
Peace may be concerned in the affairs of life, 
and be allowed to throw the weight of his 
influence into the scale of events, whether civil 
or political, it is obvious, that if the principles 
of peace and good-will should be acted upon 
in good faith, between those who might be 
otherwise disposed to contend, the danger, and 
the extremity, and the predicament in question, 



202 Concluding Observations 



s 



through the medium of his influence, would not 
occur. 

It is not fair, therefore, to place the follower 
of Peace in a difficulty, into which his own 
principles would never lead him, and then, as 
if the validity of his principles were to be 
staked upon the event, to challenge him to ex- 
tricate himself from the outward perplexity, by 
any other means than what his opponents de- 
nominate the lawful struggle of violence for the 
maintenance of civil order, against those who 
would break down its barriers and overturn the 
most sacred institutions of human society. So 
far as the influence of the true Peace-maker, in 
his previons intercourse with the turbulent, 
might be allowed to extend, we repeat, that the 
predicament of eminent peril would, in great 
measure be avoided. 

Hence, it must be unfair to charge the advo- 
cate of Peace, with the inefficiency or inappli- 
cability of his principles, at the very critical 
moment, when things are brought into such a 
state of disorder, that, without some violent con- 
flict, nothing but a signal interference of Provi- 
dence can correct it, and remedy the evils, 
engendered, perhaps on both sides, by human 
depravity and wickedness ; of which both, in 
the natural course of things, may be expected 
to take the consequences, and to suffer the 
penalties. 



__ 



Concluding Observations. 203 

It cannot, therefore, in reason, be expected, 
that a sudden adoption of pacific sentiments, 
accompanied by a momentary fervor of piety, 
and impassioned invocation of the Great Name, 
should be availing towards the preservation of 
any, who are in the extremity of danger from 
barbarian cruelty, when they may have been 
living for a long time in systematic opposition 
to the very principles, and in direct violation 
of the laws, which they are thus hastily ac- 
knowledging. Humble reliance upon Provi- 
dence, is not a duty to be observed only in the 
hour of danger : it is as necessary to the right- 
minded in the season of outward Peace, as in 
that of War. It is not while the storm is rag- 
ing, that prayer is likely to be effectual, when 
it is offered by those, who, in the time of pros- 
perity, never approach the throne of mercy to 
acknowledge the blessings showered upon them 
by Divine favor. Neither is it in the hour of 
imminent danger, that we can expect a mute 
and passive submission will be availing to dis- 
arm and conciliate the ferocious ; unless the 
mind is at the same time deeply imbued with 
Christian meekness, and resignation, and hum- 
ble reliance upon Providence. 

Now, we are not disposed to argue upon 
this point with those, who cannot conceive 
this latter state, and who only reason as if the 
impulse of mere human indignation against 



204 Concluding Observations. 



'a 



wrong, afforded sufficient grounds to justify 
retaliation. We cannot expect to convince 
men against the force of the whole practical 
principles of their lives. If they have been 
outward in their views of the protection of 
either property or life, — outward in all their 
calculations of expediency,— out war d in every 
plan of earthly aggrandisement — so that they 
are almost ready triumphantly to boast them- 
selves independent of the care and notice of 
their Heavenly Father ; we no more suppose 
that they will become suddenly the reverse, and 
capable of seeing the exact relation between a 
disciple of the Prince of Peace and a mis- 
guided fellow creature, than that an eye long 
used to darkness, should at once be able to en- 
dure the light, or an untutored Indian to com- 
prehend the profoundest principles of philo- 
sophy. 

We do, however, expect that those, who 
have examined the genuine principles of the 
Gospel, and have seen that they are all of a 
self-denying tendency, should pause a moment, 
before they sanction the doctrine, that a meek 
and consistent follower of Jesus Christ, is at 
all to be justified in avenging either himself, or 
his brother, or his country, with the sword, — 
in other words 3 is at liberty to oppose violence 
to violence, cruelty to cruelty, and murder to 
murder. 



— i. 



Concluding Observations. 205 

For as a kingdom of Peace is most assur- 
edly to be established, and must be established, 
by pure means, upon the earth ; the followers of 
this peaceable kingdom are not to lower the 
standard held out to them to bear, by resorting 
to the self-same means, which are employed by 
others, not only to secure their secular interests, 
but to promote disunion and moral evil — the 
means of violence and bloodshed. 

The ground-work of Peace was laid in the 
institutions of the Prince of Peace himself. The 
spirit and the love of Peace are inculcated upon 
all his followers. The least envying, or jea- 
lousy, or disposition to retaliation, is therefore a 
signal of revolt — a defection from his pure stan- 
dard — the beginning of a desertion to that side, 
which is wholly engrossed with the world and 
its maxims, its pursuits, its possessions, its en- 
joyments, and its turbulent principles of action. 
Can any reasonable man conceive that the pure 
principles o£ Christianity can admit of any com- 
promise — any safe coalition with practices, 
which, in whatever way they begin, and how- 
ever innocent their cause, have a tendency to 
rouse the worst passions of the mind, and to 
produce the greatest amount of moral evil? 

Men must be one thing or the other; they 
cannot be faithful to two masters : They can- 
not serve God and rnammo r It .3 better per* 



206 Concluding Observations, 

haps to be Pagan in profession, if Christian in 
practice, than Christian in profession, if only 
Pagan in life and conduct. 

In conclusion, let us ask any man, after he 
may have been perusing the instances recorded, 
however hackneyed in the modes of thinking 
common to the world, and however ill disposed 
to risk his life on such terms ; yet when coolly 
reflecting on the circumstances, and ready to 
appear before the Supreme Judge of the earth, 
whether he would not infinitely prefer, to have 
been a peaceful actor in such a strife, and to 
merit the praise and the glorious reward of such 
a character, than to have been the greatest mil- 
itary hero that ever triumphed in a field of 
battle. 

It cannot be said that these individuals were 
pusillanimous and wanted personal courage. — 
Some of them, it is clear, displayed exemplary 
fortitude; for, unarmed, they presented their 
bodies fearlessly and nobly, before the pike 
and the gun. And what gave them this forti- 
tude, but the sustaining conviction, that their 
hearts were upright, however simple their in- 
tentions, before the Lord; and that his omnip- 
otent arm was their shield, and able to de- 
fend them in the very darkest extremity ? 



APPENDIX. 

OPINIONS OF HEATHEN WRITERS. 






In presenting the reader with a very few 
quotations from some ancient Heathen writers, 
simply for the purpose of showing the outward 
advantage of pacific measures, on grounds in- 
dependent of their religious bearing on the 
system of Christianity, I by no means wish to 
convey the impression, that the writers in ques- 
tion were either consistent in their general 
doctrines, or in their practice, with the sen- 
timents now offered. This was certainly not 
the case ; for, none of the Philosophers, 
whose opinions are cited, seem to have view- 
ed the principles of Peace, as constituting a 
uniform system of conduct, throwing its be- 
nign influence into every possible relation of 
public and private life. But, if Christians will 
still hesitate in allowing themselves to be in- 



208 Appendix. 

Btructed in their duties towards each other, by 
the divine precepts and example of One, who 
rose from the dead, they must blush, in looking 
at the casual gleams of Truth emanating from 
a corrupt Pagan philosophy, and in contemplat- 
ing the salutary effects upon surrounding states, 
of such a reign as that of a pacific though idol- 
atrous Numa, when they see that even these 
heathens were opposed in theory and practice, 
however imperfectly, to their own conduct as 
the systematic vindicators and followers of 
War. 



It is far better, nay, it is more useful, to con- 
quer enemies by virtuous acts and by justice, 
than to subdue them by arms. For in the one 
case, they submit, because they are compelled 
by necessity ; in the other, of their own accord. 
The latter kind of victory recalls the ill-disposed 
to their duty with great loss ; but the former 
brings back the disaffected into the right way, 
without detriment. Besides, where the busi- 
ness is managed by arms, the principal part of 
the victory is the work of the soldier ; but where 
justice is the medium, the whole glory belongs 
to the rulers. (Polybius.) 

There are two kinds of contention ; the one 
by argument, the other by violence ; the one 



Opinions of Heathen Writers. 209 

belongs to man, the other properly to the 
brutes. {Cicero ) 

The best way of revenging an injury, is to 
prove one's self of a different disposition from 
him who is the author of it. Does any one 
despise me ? I will take care not to be found 
doing or saying any thing worthy of contempt. 
Am I hated ? I will continue to be meek and 
benevolent to every one, and shall be prepared 
to show his error, even to him who hates me, 
not in a reproachful manner, and as if I would 
make a show of my forbearance, but kindly and 
ingenuously. {Marcus Antonius.) 

When Dion, according to Plutarch, nad be- 
sieged Syracuse, which he was desirous of 
rescuing from the power of the Tyrants, He- 
reclides and Theodotus, his inveterate enemies 9 
surrendered themselves of their own accord 
confessing their fault, and beseeching him to 
be more kind to them, than they had been to 
him. They admonished him also that it be- 
came Dion, who was adorned with many other 
atues, to govern his anger, and not to be de- 
sirous of revenge. As they were using these 
entreaties, the friends of Dion besought him, 
not to spare such wicked men, the authors of 
So many frightful calamities; but that he 
should give them up to the fury of the soldiers. 
To these, Dion replied, "Other leaders and 
ins, for the most part, set their hearts upon 



210 Appendix. 

the exercises of war and arms: but I who have 
spent much of my time in the Academy, have 
made it my business to learn this, that I may 
be able to overcome anger, revenge, envy, 
obstinacy, and such-like destructive passions: 
and the most certain proof of this victory is not 
manifested by love for, my friends and for good 
men, but by placability and gentleness towards 
the wicked, and those who are my inveterate 
enemies. It is my desire to overcome Hera- 
clides, not by power and skill, but by human- 
ity and justice: for in these virtues are placed 
true fortitude, magnanimity, and glory; seeing 
the private soldier, or at least the fortune of 
war, may lay claim to part of the glory which 
is acquired in battle. But if Heraclides is 
both envious, and faithless, and wicked, is this 
a reason why Dion should stain his virtue with 
the impotence of resentment ? By human 
laws it is, indeed, ordained, that he who re- 
venges an injury sins less against justice than 
he who first commits it; but by nature both 
proceed from the same infirmity of the mind. 
The depravity of no human being is so fierce 
and savage, that it may not be softened and 
overcome by frequent acts of kindness." — 
After having given these reasons, Dion set 
Heraclides and Theodotus at liberty. {Plu- 
tarch.) 

When a certain man was praising the saying 



A 



Opinions of Heathen Writers. 211 

of Cleomenes, who being asked, what was the 
duty of a good king, answered, To do good to 
his friends, and evil to his enemies. How much 
more correct, says Socrates, would it be, To 
do good to his friends, and to make friends of his 
enemies ! 

Pythagorus observes, That men should live 
together in such a state of mind, that instead of 
making enemies of their friends, they should 
make friends of their enemies. 

When the Cumanians had delivered up to 
Pittacus a man in bonds, by whom his son had 
been slain, he dismissed the man unpunished, 
with this remark: Forgiveness is better than 
revenge: for that belongs to a benevolent na- 
ture; this to a savage. 

Musonius the philosopher uttered a similar 
sentiment; " It is the part of a wild beast, said 
he, not of a man, to seek how bite may be re- 
turned for bite, and evil for evil." 



Having given these examples of the conduct 
and opinions of men who viewed this subject 
by the light of nature, I shall conclude with a 
few extracts from the " Primitive Christianity" 
of an eminent writer in the English Church, 



212 Appendix. 

William Cave, D. D. on the practice of the 
early Christians, 

He gives this testimony concerning them: 
" JNo sooner did the gospel fly abroad into the 
world, but the love and charity of Christians 
became notorious even to a Proverb, the hea- 
thens taking notice of the Christians of those 
times with this particular remark, 6i See how 
these Christians love one another." — Cl There's 
one circumstance yet behind concerning the 
love and charity of those times, very worthy to 
be taken notice of, and that is, the universal 
extent of it; they did good to all, though more 
especially to them of the household of faith, i. e. 
to Christians; they did not confine their bounty 
within the narrow limits of a party, this or that 
sect of men, but embraced an object of pity 
and love wherever they met it. They were 
kind to all men, yea to their bitterest enemies, 
and that with a charity as large as the circles 
of the Sun that visits all parts of the world: 
— This indeed is the proper goodness and ex- 
cellency of Christianity, as Tertullian observes, 
it being common to all men to love their friends, 
but peculiar only to Christians to love their en- 
emies. 

u And Athenagoras principally makes use of 
this argument to prove the Divinity of the 
Christian Religion, and challenges all the great 
masters of reason and learning amongst the 



Conduct of the early Christians. 213 

heathens to produce any, either of themselves 
or their disciples, of so pure and refined a 
temper, as could instead of hating, love their 
enemies, bear curses and revilings with an un- 
disturbed mind, and instead of reviling again, 
to bless and speak well of them, and to pray 
for them who lay in wait to take away their 
lives. And yet this did Christians; they em- 
braced their enemies and pardoned and prayed 
for them. Nay, they did not think it enough 
not to return evil for evil, or barely to forgive 
their enemies, unless they did them all the 
kindness that lay in their power. We read of 
one Pachomius, an Heathen soldier, in the 
first times of Constantine, that the army being 
nearly starved for want of necessary provisions, 
and coming to a city that was mostly inhabited 
by Christians, they freely and speedily gave 
them whatever they wanted for the accommo- 
dation of the army. Amazed with this strange 
and unwonted charity, and being told that the 
people that had done it were Christians, whom 
they generally preyed upon, and whose profes- 
sion it was to hurt no man, and to do good to 
every man, he threw away his arms, became 
an anchoret, and gave up himself to the strict- 
est severities of religion. This also Julian the 
Emperor plainly confesses; for, urging Arsaicus, 
the chief Priest of Galatia, to take care of the 
poor, and to build hospitals in every city, for 



314 Appendix. 

the entertaining of poor strangers and travellers, 
both of their own and other religions; he adds, 
c for it is a shame that when the Jews suffer 
none of theirs to beg, and the wicked Galatians 
(Christians) relieve not only their own, but also 
those of our party, that we only should be 
wanting in so necessary a duty. 5 So prevalent 
is Truth as to extort a confession from its most 
bitter and virulent opposers. Of this I shall only 
add one instance or two more, proper enough to 
be inserted here. 7 ' 

u Eusebius, speaking of that dreadful Plague 
and Famine that happened in the East, under 
the Emperor Maximinus, wherein so many 
whole families miserably perished, and were 
swept away at once; he adds, that at this lime, 
the care and piety of the Christians towards 
all evidently approved itself to all the Gentiles 
that were about them; they being the only per- 
sons that during this sad and calamitous state 
of things performed the real offices of mercy 
and humanity; the fame whereof filled the ears 
and mouths of all men, who extolled the God 
of the Christians, and confessed that they had 
shewn themselves to be the only truly pious 
and religious persons. And indeed the charity 
was the more remarkable, in that the Christians, 
at the very time, were under a most heavy per- 
secution." 

" Thus in the terrible plague that, in the 



_ 



Conduct of the early Christians. 215 

time of Gallus and Volusius, raged so much 
through the whole world, especially at Car- 
thage, when innumerable multitudes were 
swept away every day, and the streets filled 
with the carcases of the dead, every one trem- 
bling, flying, and shifting for themselves, de- 
serting their nearest friends and kindred, none 
staying, unless it was to make a prey. In this 
sad and miserable case, Cyprian, then bishop 
of the place, calls the Christians together, and 
instructs them in the duties of mercy and char- 
ity Immediately upon this, they unani- 
mously agreed to assist their common enemies, 
every one lending help according to his rank 
and quality." 

Cl Such was the temper, such the carriage of 
Christians towards them that were without; with- 
in themselves they maintained the most admira- 
ble peace and harmony, and were in a manner 
of one heart and soul." — See Primitive Christ- 
ianity; or the Religion of the Ancient Christians 
in the first ages of the Gospel, by William Cave, 
D. D. 

FINIS. 



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